
y 



** //a*- Jt hit mtif^Jt, 

4 






j%siLt 






ytvL and As, U'/t^C llufcfed y<^/ rrurru 






ij rtffztotvM 









Y ™ ** If *tij ijcu. UtM Ccnftrr$J. <w| ^' 






THE WORLD: 



A POEM, 



IN TEN PARTS 
BY W; BONAK. 




^-*»S^S^t" 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 

BY J. CUMMING, FINTRAY. 



M.DCCC.LVII. 






w 



rr- BIFT 

M& JAMES 8. CHILDrffS 
^w WULY 36, ig-*« 



i 



DEDICATION. 



I hardly consider this necessary, though it may he 
often done out of real respect ; and I shall do it the ra- 
ther, as I do it in reality, and not in form: for I 
shall not go to a distance to dedicate these lines to 
anyone with whose private character I am not familiar. 
I shall hold at home, whither this may be thought pro- 
per, I cannot tell, but I take the liberty to dedicate 
this to you who have been the sharer of my wells and 
woes, my joys and sorrows ; hast sympathized with 
my troubles, and whose cheering kindness has sup- 
ported me, and whose calm counsel has directed me. 
And when I connect your name with my own, I 
know that you would forbid it were it not that I send 
it forth before it meet your eye. But unwilling to 
lose an opportunity of bearing testimony, which both 
justice and affection urges me to give, in a world 
where so much is said of female deception and incon- 
stancy, I desire to testify that one man has placed 
implicit confidence in woman, and has not been dis- 
appointed. And when the earthly ties which have 
so united us in uninterrupted harmony and happiness 
may soon be sundered, yet there are ties which death 
cannot break, and we indulge the hope that by these 
we shall be linked together, and to Him who is one 
with the Father through an endless evermore. 

W. B. 



THE WORLD: 

A POEM, 

Composed of Ten Parts, drawn from the Oracles of 

Truth, and contains above 700 Scripture 

References. 

A Part I. The Introduction, . . page 1 
B Part II. The World at large, . . .14 
C Part III. The World's Glories, how short! 

and its Honours, how vain ! . .43 
D Part IV. The World's Ambition, . .64 
E Part V. The World's Eiches, ... 87 
F Part VI. The World's Pleasures, . . 113 
G Part VII. The World's Vanities, . . 128 
H Part VIII. The World's Perils, . . 145 
I Part IX. The World's Wants, . . . 166 
K Part X. The World's Imperfections and 

Inconsistencies. .... 174 

The Letter directs to the part wherein the Scripture 
Reference lies. 



Price Stitched Is. Bound in cloth gilt edges, 2s. 



PREFACE. 



It ought to be the leading principle, the great living 
resolve and acting desire of every man who has arriv- 
ed at the maturity of his powers, to do something 
for the improvement of his country and kind ; some- 
thing that should advance, or aim to advance the 
refinement or moral elevation of his race ; something 
that may be achieved without the neglect of those 
duties which belong to every good citizen, or without 
forsaking that sphere in which nature and providence 
has placed him. This is one way by which we may 
discharge the debt of blessings we receive from our 
maker, for mere thankfulness unseconded by deeds of 
benevolence, and the virtuous exercises of an en- 
lightened mind pays nothing, but leaves unsatisfied 
the highest claims of our nature. 

With respect to the following lines I can say no- 
thing in commendation of them. I make no apolo- 
gy for publishing them, nor pretend that I was forced 
into this piece of service. I am conscious I merit 
not the approbation of the learned ; but however 
despisable it may be with such, it will undoubtedly 
be less scrutinized, as it is a production that has 



11. 



sprung from an illiterate pen, and I doubt not but it 
may please some and profit others. If any find 
satisfaction in these verses, I would be highly pleas- 
ed ; however, if they come abroad they will share the 
same fate with the best, for though the best be ap- 
plauded by some they undergo the banter and ridicule 
of others. 

However, I have the satisfaction to hope that this 
small publication will be useful and edifying to some 
whatever way it may be entertained by others. The 
gospel itself is the savour of life to some, to others 
the savour of death ; to some wisdom, to others fool- 
ishness ; to some matter of faith, love, and comfort ; 
to others matter of mockery and scorn. I shall be 
far from thinking it any discredit if this book meet 
with the like entertainment. 

If I succeed in this endeavour it is no unpleasant 
reflection to do some good beyond the grave, and 
should I not succeed, yet my leisure hours are filled 
up with occupation in which I delight. It is a ser- 
vice which is its own recompence — a work which is 
its own reward. 

Though there be not found in the following that 
accuracy of style which some desire, yet these should 
be generally overlooked, and the rather because these 
verses are delivered in a manner which those who 
justly pretend greater and better things need not be 



ashamed ; and if it is approved of, it will not be the 
first time that praise has been perfected and strength 
ordained out of the mouth of babes and sucklings. 

I hope I need not be ashamed whatever hands this 
fall into, as I hope I have in general expressed my 
regard in terms which reason and religion will 
warrant. 

I w r ould not willingly disgust persons of elevated 
genius and refined education, but would wish to suit 
common apprehensions and impress the conscientious- 
ness of them in subserviency to the momentous design 
of their eternal salvation. 

As I have neither time, talents, nor abilities suita- 
ble for such a work, having no learning, my gradua- 
tion is all of the hearth ; my occupation as an agri- 
culturist, and had to labour for myself and family ; 
on such grounds as these I claim sympathy. 

And lest I should be found exercising myself in 
things too high for me, and that so laudable an un- 
dertaking should suffer damage by an unskilful 
management, I would say that it was an honour to 
bring but a handful of goat's hair to such an in- 
finitely glorious building which should stand for ever, 
when not a wreck shall be left of all the honours 
this world has got to show. For the building of the 
temple some brought gold, some silver, some brass ; 
and he that was not rich enough to bring a bullock 



IV. 



from the fold might bring a sheep from the stock ; 
and if poor, a bird. And does not the divine spirit 
in the invaluable oracles (from which this is drawn,) 
constitute the puny ant, the lazy ass, the troubled 
sea, and many other things for our spiritual instruc- 
tors ? And does not the divine teacher draw his in- 
inestimable instructions and parables from sparrows, 
nets, bottles, fishes, mustard seed, dough, and other 
common objects ; why not we, though at an infinite 
distance, follow his example ? 

I write not with the assumption of superiority, but 
with a deep practical sense of the infirmities against 
which I have presumed to caution others. The many 
disadvantages I lie under make it impossible for me 
to offer any thing to the eye of the learned without 
being clothed with imperfection. From these con- 
siderations it is humbly hoped that the gentle obser- 
ver will use rather the candour of a friend than the 
severity of a critic. 

May the Lord of heaven and earth who overrules 
all things accompany it in its journey abroad ; may 
the great God patronize it with his blessing ; and 
to his care I recommend it. — Amen. 

W. B. 



THE WOULD: 

A POEM. 
PART I.— Letter A. 

INTRODUCTION. 



Light, first of all the Creator's works, 
Sprung from the birth of Time, * 

The nearest in resemblance 
To him who bade it shine. 

The all- wise Creator when first 

The universe he reared, 
His munificence towards man 

Peculiarly appeared. 

And over all His other works, 

Highly distinguished him, 
By putting 's image on him, and 

Adorning him within. -J- 

Then for his complete happiness 

He did direct His care, 
That what might contribute for good 

His Vicegerent might share. J 

* Gen. i. 3. f Gen. i. 27. J Gen. i. 29—30. 
B 



INTRODUCTION. 

The mighty wonder-working God 
Makes his perfections shine ; 

And something out of nothing madey 
To suit his wise design. 

And matter, without form at first, 

Did to a being turn ; 
And form to the matter gave, 

And glory to the form. 

A great and spacious house He reared, 

And furnished it withal ; 
Brought in the tenant that for life 

He might enjoy the whole. 

The God of mercy and of grace 

Our comfort did intend ; 
His glory and our happiness, 

Was His peculiar end. 

He formed Adam from the dust r 
The noblest human frame : 

Indued him with dominion, for 
The honour of His name. * 

He made him lord of all the earth f 
The creatures of His power 

Were all subjected to his sway, 
His comforts to ensure, f 

* Gen. i. 28. f Gen. i. 21, 



INTRODUCTION. 

And then to mark his pleasure in 

His best prosperity, 
He put him in a garden to 

Enjoy felicity. * 

O who would think that but for one 
The mass of creation stands ! 

And he so mean, yet none but he 
Can know the high commands. 

And none but he can know the work, 
And none but he explore ; 

And only he can those admire, 
Or creator can adore. 

Vicegerent of Omnipotence, 
The creator's master-piece, 

Monarch of earth's inhabitants — 
Of the terrestrial space. 

He qualified him fully for 
The station which he held ; 

And under his control He made 
The lower creation yield. 

The creatures showed the creator did 

Possess perfection, 
But more conspicuous did man, 

In whom His image shone. 

* Gen. ii. 8. 

B2 



INTRODUCTION. 

He pictured God in holiness, 

In uninterrupted good ; 
When from his Maker's hand he dropt 

In innocence he stood. 

No spot nor blemish intercept 

His purity to stain; 
A social intercourse with God 

Adorned all his frame. 

Bnt ! how short duration had 

His state of innocence ! 
When sin did once possess his heart 

What was the consequence ? 

His nature changes, and he makes 

A vain attempt to fly, 
As if he could conceal himself 

From an omniscient eye ! * 

His comforts and his pleasures fled 
When once he did transgress, 

And now his happiness is but 
Of short continuance, 

His clothing now is filthy rags, 

Quite destitute is he ; -j- 
He cannot dig, ashamed to beg, J 

Yet pensioner must be. 

* Gen. iii. 8. f Isaiah lxiv. 6. J Luke xvi. 3. 



INTRODUCTION. 

He now has lost commerce with heaven, 

A backward course he steers ; 
The badge of sin has now put on, 

And satan's livery wears. * 

He thinks with leaves to deck himself f 

TVith an unskilful hand ; 
And risks his everlasting all 

By founding on the sand. \ 

His heirship ? s lost in paradise, 

His right is forfeit there, 
An outcast vagabond from heaven 

Unworthy of His care* 

The name may 'Pashur now be called, 

When he is now cast out ; 
Megor-missabib may be joined 
A terror round about. § 

Thus the deceiver of our race, — 

This subtile artful foe, 
His wiles on man's unwariness 

Has proved his overthrow. 

He seemed to introduce new light 

To his enlightened mind ; 
But opened the awful pit, 

And darkened all mankind. 

* John viii. 44, fGen.iii. 7. i Matt. vii. 26, { Jer. xx. 4. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Thus did the subtile enemy 
Man's quiet empire invade ; 

And by his yielding thus was brought 
To misery and degrade. 

And lest he should put forth his hand 

The tree of life to take, * 
A mighty angel guards the way, 

The flaming sword does shake. 

He was corrupt, seduced, deceived, 

By satan's subtilty ; 
His innocence received a blot, 

He lost ability. 

No more could he of Eden boast, 
With all its pleasant fruit, 

While cherubims and flaming sword 
Were sent to drive him out. -j- 

He 's trampled now upon the law ; 

His pleasures all are fled ; 
His sweets have many bitter dregs ; 

The Rose with thorns clad. 

But did the sin of Adam live, 

Or die as Adam died ? 
No ; his descendants likewise were 

Unto its fetters tied. { 

» Gen. Hi. 22. f Gen. iii. 24. J Rom. v. 12 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

Nor did it stent its progress till 

The earth was overspread, 
And grieved the Creator to his heart, 

That he mankind had made. * 

For strife, revenge, and cruelty, 

So early did begin ; 
The first domestic brother tie 

Was broke by Adam's sin. -J- 

Nor did the evil terminate 

In this unpleasant scene, 
What wars and bloodshed hitherto 

By its effects have been ! 

Corruption now has spread itself 

Through all the human soul ; 
And in the carnal mind we find 

It reigns without control. J 

On fruitful fields will thistles grow, 

And various weeds arise ; 
And by a thorn in the flesh § 

Our comfort often dies. 

Corruption follows us, though we 

May the third heavens see ; || 
The messenger of satan too 

Will our companion be.^[ 

♦ Gen. vr 6. f Gen. iv. 8. + Rom. viii. 7. § 2 Cor. xii. 7. 
|| 2 Cor. xii. 2. f 2 Cor. xii. 7. 



3 INTRODUCTION. 

The sons of God can not present 

Themselves before the Lord, 
But satan too will likewise join 

To blast the sweet accord. * 

The glory is departed now, 

The name is 'Ichabod'; -J* 
And that a den of thieves which once 

Was temple for our God. \ 

The silver now is dross become, 

The water mixed the wine ; § 
The crown is fallen from our head, || 

The gold does cease to shine. ^J 

Man's wisdom, power and policy, 

His nature has withstood ; 
The crooked cannot be made straight 

To primeval rectitude. ** 

"Who can his errors understand ? -J-{- 

Or his defects can count ? 
That which is wanting will be so, 

The number's counted out. J J 

Man's sinful curiosity 

Did prove his overthrow ; 
We rather seek for something new 

Than practise what we know. 

* Job i. vi. f 1 Sam. iv. 21 . % Matt. xxi. 13. § Isaiah i. 22. || Lam. 
v. 16. f Lam. iv. l.**Eccl. i. 15. ft Psalm xix. 12. JJEccl. i. 15. 



INTRODUCTION. \) 

Our knowledge wrong directed is, 

Nor cannot well accord, 
For our depraved nature says 

Tor I know not the Lord.' * 

It is not what doth edify, 

We study to obtain, 
But knowledge more than holiness, 

Is what we seek to gain. -J- 

We vainly strive to be as gods, 

To know the good and ill, 
More than to change the crimson die 

To whiteness of the wool, f 

Our wild and roving fancies all 

Must be by grace restrained ; 
When pious, solid thoughts we find, 

Must be by care maintained. § 

We have a principle to hate 

Our greatest benefits ; 
And in our bosom fondly lodge 

Our greatest enemies. || 

When sensuality 's indulged, 

And nature unrestrained, 
And God's authority disowned, 

Then every ill 's maintained. 

* Exod. v. 2. f Isaiah xliv. 25. J Isaiah i. 18. § Prov. xvi. & 
I! Mala. iii. 15. 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

The fond inhabitant we lodge, 

In each succeeding stage 
Holds fast the empire of our hearts, 

And all our powers engage. * 

And though we have a prospect fair, 

And happiness in view, 
The sword that turneth every way 

Our troubles will renew, j 

It turns our comforts to a cross, 

Makes mercies maladies ; 
It turns our blessings to a curse, 

And remedies defies. 

The fields obnoxious weeds produce, 
And choke the useful stem ; J 

The beasts who upon man did fawn, 
Ferocious now became, § 

The creatures all on him did wait, 

Their services performed ; 
But now in battle array are set, 

His enemies they're turned. 

He finds them hard for him, if but 

The smallest of them stirs ; 
To Pharaoh, frogs, and flies, and lice, 

Are executioners. || 

* Prov. xxiv. 2. t 1 Sam. ii. 33. J Gen. iii. 18. $ 2 Kings ii. 24. 
|| Exod. viii. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 1 

The feeble worm Herod eats, * 
And tooms his haughty throne ; 

If once divine commission 's given, 
They put the monarch down. 

Man with the beasts a league must make, 

His safety to secure ; 
Yea even with the very stones 

Agreement must insure. -J- 

The Elements combine their force, 
And show themselves his foes ; 

The stars that in their courses rule, 
Did Sisera oppose. J 

By an unparalleled deluge, 

The world once was drowned. § 

By fire and brimstone rained from heaven, 
Was Sodom all consumed. || 

A flood of miseries overspreads 

The world where we dwell ; 
And whither shall we set our feet 

Where troubles do not swell ? 

Some suffer painful chastisement, 

Some pinching poverty, 
Some have their losses to lament, 

Some sickness health betray. 

♦Actsxii. 23. t Job. v. 23. + Judges v. 20. §Gen. vii. 21. 
j) Gen. xix. 24. 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

The palace nor the cottages, 
Are not from misery free : 

In city and in country too, 
The troubles multiply. 

No man's condition is so soft 
But yields to him a thorn ; 

And our most pleasant prospects are 
With jarring mixture torn. 

These troubles, and these maladies, 

With violence are let in, 
The sluice is opened up for them, 

They're introduced by sin. 

It kindleth up the brimstone lake, 

From it the flames arise ; 
It is the parent of the worm — 

The worm that never dies. 

All our complaints, our sighs and tears, 

Are evidences given, 
Though man was high, yet he is now 

Fallen as a star from heaven. 

But is the case entirely lost, 
And cannot be regained ? 

Is there no advocate to plead ? 
No messenger to send ? 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

Yes ; Jesus speeds this errand down, 

A surety is procured, * 
A noble substitute 's enrolled. 



And will lie be brought back again? 

Yes ; Jesus seeks and finds. 
Though Egypt's side the pillar 's dark, 

To Israel bright it shines. £ 

With pity double mixed with love, 

He clears off every stain ; 
And sprinkles every spot, and makes 

The crimson white again. § 

* Heb. vii. 22. f 1 Tim. ii. Ti. X Gen. xiv. 20. $ Isaiah i. 18. 



THE WORLD. 
PART II.— Letter B. 

LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 



Why should we place our happiness 
Where it was never found ? 

And seek the living 'mong the dead, 
Where rottenness abounds. * 

The world 's like a shattei-ed ship 

Before the stormy blast, 
You're sure that if you rest on it, 

You'll lose your all at last. 

The leaky vessel ye must leave, 

That safely ye may win 
In to the ark that braves the storm, 

And all those dangers shun. 

Love not the world, for we find 
It 's but a fading store ; -j- 

And separates the heart from Him 
Whom we should most adore. 

* Luke xxiv. 5. f I John ii. 15, 



15 LOVE NOT THE WOKLD, 

And lose a heaven for the earth, 

A pleasure for a pain, 
A good for bad, a life for death, 

A beauty for a stain. 

What *s good and innocent in it, 

It represents as bad ; 
Infinite wisdom 's said to have 

A devil, and is mad. * 

Be not conformed to the world f 

Destruction is its doom ; 
To one great conflagration 

It will be sentenced soon, -j- 

Be disentangled, that ye may 

The consequences shun ; 
Be ready, like the Rechabites, 

To pack up and be gone. £ 

Turn not aside to empty things, 

Which are but vanities ; 
They cannot profit, nor deliver 

In your adversities. 

Love of the world draws aside 

From true felicity ; 
Like Demas to forsake the truth 

Fell to apostacy. § 

• John x. 20, f 2 Peter iii. 7—10. J Jerm. xxxr. IL 
§ 2 Tim. iv. 10. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 16 

Love not the world, ye who walk 

The strait and narrow road, 
For be assured its friendship courts 

An enmity with God. * 

If we a Delilah do once 

Admit into our heart, 
We have not resolution from 

The idol to depart, -j- 

If absolute affection on 

This Delilah we place, 
We sacrifice our interest and 

Our honour to disgrace. J 

The base indulgence of our lust 

And passion we display, 
Though on reserve we would retain, 

It would not satisfy. 

The world our policies engage, 

Our wisest schemes excite, 
Our fond attachment to it far 

Exceeds the sons of light. § 

Our time and talents to the world 

Do often sacrifice, 
Though by the wisest men it *s found 

To be but vanities. || 

° 1 John ii. 15. t Judges xvi. 17. J Judges xvi. 16. 
§ Luke xvi. 16' || Eccl. i. 14. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 17 

The business of the world is 

At best but weariness, 
Fatigue, and care, and toil, and oft 

Endangers heavenly bliss. 

But though it is contemptible, 

Yet I have loved it dear ; 
And back and fore have all my life 

Wandered from year to year. 

And never made a single step 

To Jordan's peaceful shore, 
Nor set my face the way I have 

Not gone yet heretofore. * 

I've loved that which I should despise 

And hate what I should love, 
Plies from my friends and cleaves to those 

My mortal foes doth prove. 

We often lodge the enemy 

That would destruction bring, 
And think death's bitterness is past, 

And sheathed his poisoned sting. 

We quite forget that sacrifice 

Will not at all accord, 
Till Agag's hewed in pieces, in 

Obedience to the Lord, f 

* Joshua iii. 4. f 1 Sam. kv. 32 
C 



IS LOVE NOT THE WORLD 1 . 

In vain we fly when God pursues. 
His judgements to elude ; 

Safe's only in repentance, and 
Faith in atoning blood. 

With active hand and steady care, 

Improve the fruitful soil ; 
The Branch that grows on Jesse's stem 

Remunerates your toil. * 

thoughtless habitant of clay, 
How mean your mortal form ! 

Thy state 's decided 'Dust thou art r 
And shalt to dust return.' -j- 

Stop my soul ! from the embrace 

The earthly vision dies ; 
It 's but the fancy of a dream, 

As soon 's it comes — it flies. 

The sooner ripe, the sooner rot 

Are our excellencies ; 
The sooner we a prospect gain, 

The sooner it decays. 

Where shall Earth ! thy beauty be ? 

Or thy enjoyments have ? 
Where 's thy distinctive honours all, 

When I'm laid in the grave? 

* Isaiah xi. 1. f Gen, iii. 19. 



LOVE NOT- THE WORLD. 19 

With temperate prudence may we strive 

The World to procure ; 
We're but the children of a day, 

And cannot it insure. 

Let never wordly vanities 

At all possess my heart, 
Nor for them pay the costly price 

Of my immortal part. 

Nor yet its soft alluring voice 

Let me at all regard ; 
Nor listen to its smiles, and lose 

Th' exceeding great reward. 

Its soft alluring prospects would 

My portion soon entail, 
And bind my heart to earth, and last 

Would sink me down to hell. 

It 's vain to set my face to heaven, 

And leave my heart behind, 
While Earth 's so thievish as to catch 

At all that it can find. 

I'll nothing to its credit leave 

That I can carry hence ; 
By alms-deeds, or pious use 

I'll with its gain dispense. 



C2 



20 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

t What would the world profit me 
Though I should gain the whole ? 
How great would be my loss if I 
Risk my immortal soul ! * 

Or, if I thoughtlessly should roll 

On earth's unsettled hinge, 
And thus neglect my soul, what would 

I give for the exchange ? -f- 

An equal portion cannot be 

At all for it obtained, 
When at so high a price it was 

From sin and death redeemed, f 

The Lord's the portion of my soul ; 

The Psalmist thus doth sing : 
'Hell compass me as with a shield, 

He'll consolation bring.' § 

His secret shall be with the good, || 

And good shall be repaid ; ^f 
He'll make him flourish as a branch, ** 

With blessings on his head. 

The earth belongs unto the Lord, -j-{- 

The riches all are his ; 
He 's absolute proprietor, 

The husbandman he is. Jf 

° Matt. xvi. 26. fMatt. xvi. 26. J 1 Peter i. 18. $ Psalm v. 12. 

1| Prov. iii. 32. UProv. xiii. 21. **Prov. xi. 28. ff Psalm xxiv. 1. 

J+ 1 Cor. iii. 9. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 21 

We're not to think that heaven, nor 

The upper world unseen 
With all its excellencies to him 

Doth only appertain. 

For though the palace royal 

From us a distance he 
In yonder land afar off, yet 

Our great householder 's He. * 

By His incontestable power 

The form of Nature stands, 
And absolute sovereignty 

Is vested in his hands. -{* 

And God deals with the sons of men, 

That on vain things do rest, 
In judgement He this empty world 

Within their hearts has placed. J 

Their over-fullness makes them in 

Their plenty to repine ; § 
In health they languish, though on them 

Those common blessings shine. 

But shall His spirit always strive, 

Though merciful he be ? 
Two chances we can have, and that 

Is bliss or misery. || 

♦ Matt. xxi. 33. f Psalm cxlv. 13. + Eccl. iii. 11. $ Job xx. 14. 
15. 22. 23. !! Matt. xxv. 32. 



22 LOVE NOT THE WOELD. 

We raven-like in quest of earth 

The ark abandoned ; 
And had we not been caught by Christ, 

Had never returned. * 

The world's the ocean where we swim, 
And each their game pursues ; 

The enemy his baits has laid, 

His traps and snares he strews. -J- 

The world is my residence, 

But not my resting place ; 
It 's full of labour and of toil, 

Where woes and griefs increase. 

The world's frowns and flatteries 

Stand in our way to heaven ; 
But Jesus is the conqueror, 

By him the victory's given. J 

But if we're sons of God we must 

The world conquer too : 
Its tenor, temper, tendencies, 

Its smiles and frowns subdue. § 

And turn its battery on itself, 

And conquer by the cross, 
And storm heaven by violence, and 

The kingdom take by force. || 

* Gen. ix. 7. 1 2 Tim. ii. 26. J John xvi. 33. $ 1 John v. 4 
|| Matt. xi. 12. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD, 23 

We fearless meet the World's frown, 

Its open threats withstand ; 
But by its kindness entertained, 

We nearest danger stand. 

Beware of world's courtesies, 

And all its flattering spoils ; 
Its frowns and threats wound not so deep 

As its engaging smiles. * 

What's all the world's favours worjh, 

But fears and jealousies ! 
A just suspicion should proceed 

Its flattering courtesies. 

We, like the head of Sisera, 

Unto it fast are nailed ; 
Though but our feet its surfaee touch, 

By it our hearts are filled. -J- 

Not only bowed but bound down 

By Satan's cruel sway, 
Like her who was so long bound down 

By her infirmity. J 

Unless the Lord, who loosed her, 

Shall shake our massy chain, 
Like captive slaves in fetters bound, 

Fast shackled we remain. § 

• Isaiah ii. 12. f Judges iv. 21. J Luke xiii. 16, 

} Isaiah xlix. 24. 25. 



24 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

My care and study is to choose 

The world perpetually ; 
Yet though abundantly obtained 

It cannot satisfy. 

What profit have we in our toils, 

In all below the sun? 
It will not satisfy the soul, 

Nor yet for sin atone. * 

The soul's disease it cannot cure, 

Nor countervalue loss ; 
Nor will our labours profit us -{• 

In death, nor death oppose. 

Snares traps and scourges us surround, J 
And thorns hedge the way ; § 

And woe to him that lades himself 
With thick and miry clay. || 

Though Tyrus heap up gold as dust, ^[ 

And silver as the mire, 
Yet shall their bounties be a trap, 

Their table be a snare. ** 

The world shows its glory and 

Its pleasures to allure, — 
Holds up its golden apples that 

Its success may insure, 

* Eccl. i. 3. f Matt. xvi. 24. J Josh, xxiii. 13. } Prov. xxii. 3. 
P Hab. ii. 6. IT Zech ix. 3. « Rom. zi. 9. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 25 

It often in appearance doth 

A franker aspect show, 
Then Christ the sinners friend whose suits 

He daily doth renew, 

Its joys unrequired it show3, 

And throws them in our hand, 
While heavenly things are promised, 

But at a distance stand. 

For Christ to us presents a crown, 

And life that never dies ■ * 
But bids us labour, run, and fight, 

Before we gain the prize. 

For heaven is all up hill, and must 

Be by exertions gained ; 
Our graces must be exercised, 

Our principles maintained. 

We must, like Abram, get from both 
Our country and our friends, -J- 

The world's bewitching wealth forego, 
And its enchanting dreams. 

Two great contending parties strive 

Each other to oppose, 
Both God and Mammon, so that we 

Must heaven take by force. J 

•Rev. ii. 10, f Gen. xii. 1. Matt, xi, 12. 



26 LOVE NOT THE WOBLD. 

Some make a Mammon of their goods, 

Their cattle and their gain ; 
And others make a Mammon of 

The fond applause of men. * 

Whatever selfish view we have, 

That will our Mammon be : 
Our sports and pastimes, lusts, and ease, 

Our pride, and vanity. 

If we should with the Great Supreme 

Aught in conjunction bring, 
It must in competition stand, — 

In contradiction reign. 

We are not told we should not serve, 

For that we cannot do, 
It 's an impossibility 

That we can serve the two. -j- 

To get a sight of Christ we would 

Our natural powers exert, J 
But Mammon so divides our hearts, 

We wish Him to depart. § 

Or else we'll leave Him sorrowing, 

Earth such vexations bring, 
Who needs it least, desire it most, 

So fast to it we cling. || 

* Matt. Ti. 24. f Matt. vi. 24. J Luke xix. 4. $ Luke riii. 37 
flMatt. xix. 22. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 27 

TVe do not like eternal life 

Upon the Saviour's terms ; f 
Our rich possessions we prefer. 

Our mansions and our farms. 

But yet its grip we must let go. 
Its mammon disapprove. • 

Although it sound both hard and harsh 
To hate what most we love. 

The world, sin. and Satan are 

My greatest enemies. 
That plunge me deepest in the mire 

Of all my miseries. 

But should I fear those foes, although 

They great and mighty are ? 
The Root ol Jesse has declared 

That he 's the conqueror. 7 

No enemy I have to fear, 

If I should sin abhor ; 
For Satan cannot enter in 

But by transgression's door. \ 

I need not fear affliction's smart. 

If patient I remain : § 
Nor need I fear temptations' power, 

But when I yield to them. J 

* Matt, xix. 16. t Rev. vi. 2. J Rev. ii, 10, { Lam, iii, 33.. 
I! Rev. iii. 10. 11. 



28 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

Nor will I be afraid of sin, * 
Unless my faith should fail ; -J- 

Nor will I be afraid of death, 
Unless my sin prevail. J 

Nor need I fear outrage from men, 
Reproach shall seem but vain, 

Unless I lose my temper calm 
To seek revenge again. § 

Can proud resentment or revenge, 

The smallest pleasure bring ? 
If like the foolish angry bee, 

I cast away my sting ? || 

I need not fear the combat, when 

The victory shall be sure ; ^f 
Though tribulation here be mine, 

Christ hath not lost his power. ** 

Death needs not make me much alarmed, 

When it 's made o'er to me, 
It is a privilige, yea more, 

It 's like a legacy. -J-j- 

I need not fear the world, when 

My Saviour overcame ; J J 
Nor satan, when below my feet, 

God bruise shall shortly him. §§ 

* 1 John iii. 9. f Rom. vi. 14. J 1 Cor. xv. 27. § Matt. x. 16. 38. 

J Jonah iv. 9. U Rom. ii. 10. ** John xvi. 33. ft 2 Cor. iii. 32. 

JJ John xvi. 33. ${Rom. xvi. 20. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 29 

Nor need I fear the burning lake, 

Though terrible it seem, 
No condemnation is to those 

Who have their pardon won. * 

Nor need I fear the brimstone showers, 

That vengeance doth display, 
Unless for love of Sodom's plains, 

I look back or delay. -J- 

Though troubles, like an armed force, 

Do often on me fall, 
My property insured in God 

Will overbalance all. 

Though mothers travelling in birth, 

May pain and labour share, 
The heavenly offspring they bring forth, 

Remunerates their care. 

Oft troubles mar our views and blast 

Our best felicity ; 
Our dissappointed prospects fail, 

And spoils prosperity. 

And raisest hurricanes amidst 

The most profoundest calm ; 
And how uncertain created bliss 

Without the cordial balm ! 

•Rom. viii.l, f Gen. xix. 26. 



30 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

Unless that I a sharer be 
In bank of heavenly bliss, 

I soon may be impoverished in 
This barren wilderness. 

But if th' enriching privilege 

Of Jesus be procured, 
I'm from misfortune furnished, 

From losses I'm insured. 

In hoping well, and fearing worse, 
Should be my constant care, 

To choose the good and shun the ills 
That daily me ensnare. 

Begone, enchanting world, begone ! 

No more your claims renew ; 
Should I your vain enticements own, 

Or trifle thus with you ! 

Your fashion quickly glides away, * 
And leaves no trace behind ; 

You're changeable and varying, 
Deceitful, and unkind, 

How then should every trifling toy, 
My strict regard command ! 

And thus forget the soul's concern, 
And joys at God's right hand. 

* 1 Cor. vii. 31. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 31 

What vigilance would be too much, 

My interest to secure ! 
Unto the world invisible 

My title to insure. 

Woes me ? that I in Mesech am 

A sojourner so long ; 
And have not set my face to go 

The way that leads me home. 

Although I be a journey er 

Along this wilderness, 
My portion 's in a better land, 

And my inheritance. 

No treasure can I see that's fit 

For an enlightened mind ; 
Because on wings of air they fly, 

And leave no trace behind. 

But if it should remain a while, 

It must at last consume 
In the great conflagration 

Of earth's decisive doom. * 

In vain from earth I seek for rest, 

Or yet enriching gain ; 
Our views, if here they terminate, 

Our prospects are in vain. 

* 2 Peter iii. 10. 



32 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

The world's high advantages 

Can not at all secure 
A permanent and lasting bliss, 

Nor happiness insure. 

Each one upon some object tries 

To seek felicity ; 
But as the earth is not our home, 

It cannot satisfy. * 

Be blind, my eyes, to wordly charms; 

Be shut, my heart, to sin ; 
That all my daring foes may find 

That Jesus reigns within. -J* 

Can I from Earth, my step-mother, 

Sweet delicacies have ? 
Let me have Jesus, that's enough, 

What farther can I crave? 

For He hath riches great in store, 

And pleasures ever new, 
To constitute my happiness, 

And make me noble too. | 

It 's good that we accomodate 

Ourselves in each degree 
Unto our lot, whatever it is, 

To place and company. § 

Heb. xiii. 14. t Heb xiii. C. * 1 Chro. xxix. 12, § 1 Cor ix. 20. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 33 

The great Mesiah's messenger 

Thus far was mortified, 
He did not grasp at gaieties, 

Nor feed the world's pride. 

His dress was plain, his diet mean, * 

His place was solitary ; -J* 
To show his small esteem of Earth's 

Familiarity. 

No gluttonous desires he showed, 

Nor luxuries he fared ; 
For locusts were the mean supply, 

The prophet often shared. 

No feasting have we to expect, 

But that we shall be fed ; 
He's only promised necessaries, 

Our dainties may be stayed. 

If what we have should puff us up, 

Or make our spirits swell, 
It is not food but poison, and 

Our misery will entail. 

It is no evidence to us 

Of favour, but a frown, 
No mercy, but a curse that draws 

God's indignation down. 

*Matt. iii. 4. f Matt. iii. 1. 
D 



34 LOVE NOT THE WORLB. 

In fat fields of prosperity, 

Oft hurtful lusts arise ; 
Requires to bar our hearts, and make * 

A cov'nant with our eyes, -j- 

It either kills with anxious care, 

Or surfeits with delight ; 
Then let me neither leave the world, 

Nor bear a love to it. 

It 's rather to be feared than sought, 
Though it 's for blessings given ; 

Its gains may prove but silver bars, 
To stop our way to heaven. \ 

The more that we know of the world, 

The less we will admire 't, 
Or prize its pleasures, houours, wealth, 

With vanity attired, 

Which are but bubbles, shadows, dust, 

Ourselves but lumps of clay, 
Compounds of sinfulness and guilt, 

The children of a day. § 

For those who are solicitous 

This world to obtain, 
And eager to lay up in store 

Its perishable gain, 

*Proy. x. 19. f Job xxx. 1. J Matt. xix. 23. { Eccl. v. 15, 
|l Psal. xxxix. 6. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 35 

Consider not how sooon they may 

Be parted from their store ; 
Nor think the more they trust to it, 

It still deceives the more. * 

For a defonce it only doth 

Its owners more expose ; f 
And for protection it betrays 

The holders to their foes. 

Unceasingly they use the means, 
And spend their strength in vain, f 

And waste their noblest treasures on 
The things which cannot gain. 

But let us look for better things, 

On which we may depend ; 
And choose for our hereafter both 

Our treasure and our end. 

That we may for ourselves provide, 

And lay them up before ; 
The things we treasure up *s our own, 

None shall partake our store. 

The world's things no comfort gives, 

Nor consolation*; 
Serve us they may for passage, but 

Not for our portion. 

• Eccl. v. 11. f Eccl. v. 12. % Isaiah lv. 12. 
D2 



36 LOVE NOT THE WORLDS 



This earth was ne'er intended to 

Be our eternal home ; 
No portion 's for a deathless mind 

In treasures that consume. 



Violence will aim at every house 
Wheie treasure is secured ; 

It wise will be to place our gain 
Where it will be insured. 

The Friend of man does not intend 

Our treasures to restrain, 
But to direct the proper choice 

Where safe they will remain. * 

Where force nor fraud will not deprive,, 
Nor thieves will stretch a hand ; 

No secret waste shall enter where 
Our best effects should stand. -J- 

We're choosing for ourselves, and will 

Be served as we choose ; 
How foolish if we choose the world, 

And better things abuse ! 

And load ourselves with miry clay, \ 
And things that chain us down, 

And place our richest treasures where 
We may be robbed so soon. 

♦ Luke xii. 33. f Matt, vi. 19. 20. J Hab. ii. 6. 



LOVE NOT THE WORLD, 37 

Corroding Time's devouring teeth 

My comforts will consume ; 
Its sweeping scythe my partial joys 

Will in an instant prune. 

No oars nor bolts will keep out rust, 

Nor from its reach secure ; 
No watch can guard against the moth, 

Nor from its hurt insure. 

Though riches had no principle 

To corrupt or decay, 
The sneaking thief, the violent hand, 

May snatch them all away. * 

But in the upper worlds safe 

My treasure I may hide ; 
Which till time's course shall cease to run 

Untouched shall abide. 

A treasury's prepared where we 

May hide the immortal prize ; 
Where moth nor rust can never stain:, 

Nor dangers can arise. •{• 

The treasurer is gone before, 

Our portion to secure ; 
A key's presented unto us, 

Our interest to insure. 

•Matt. vi. 19. fMatt.vi.20. 



38 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

Within the upper santuary 

Where safe it will remain, 
A watcher and an holy one, * 

My interest will maintain. 

No pilfering hand shall reach my store, 
Nor snatch my wealth away ; 

Nor shall it to superior force 
At all become a prey. 

The watchman of this treasury 

Ne'er wearies on his post ; 
Nor was there any yet complained 

That they had treasures lost. 

There'let me treasure up that store 
Of which God will approve, — 

That rich and large unwasting store 
That nought shall ever move. 

Then with the Secretary above 
I'll lodge the heavenly prize ; 

For why should glittering toys of earth 
Be objects of my choice? 

I'll seek the crown that Moses sought, 
Which well he knew would bloom 

When Pharaoh's pomp and sceptred pride 
Would all be tumbled down. 

* Daniel v. 3. fHeb. xi. 26. 



LOVE NOT THE WOULD. 39 

The world is sought with eagerness, 
Though empty found when proved ; 

But heavenly things though offered 
Men's hearts remain unmoved. 

The worlds goods that would compete, 

Do not deserve our care ; 
God's gracious promises include 

To us a larger share. * 

It 's not the world's nobles, nor 

Its mighty sceptred sway, 
But by the mean and weak that God 

Himself will glorify. -J- 

Of foolish things he maketh choice, 

The haughty to condemn ; J 
To bring into contempt the pride 

And vanity of men. 

God has the pleasures lessened of 

The very sweetest climes, 
By some real disadvantages 

That damps its brightest beams* 

Could I be rich although possessed 

Of vast unwholesome mines, 
That often prove their grave that seek 

Their perishable gains ? 

* 1 Cor. iii. 21. flCor. i. 27. 1 Cor. i. 28. 



40 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

Thus God hath tempered all, that man 
May with his lot be pleased ; 

That it be not too much esteemed, 
Nor yet by him despised. 

Where disadvantages prevail, 
He hath His favour shown, 

By giving some substantial, real 
Accomodation. 

Hot seas are dangerous to swim, 
Where sharks would soon devour ; 

And shores where alligators lodge, 
Who safety can insure ? 

But much more dangerous to swim 
In plenty, wealth, and ease, 

Where the Deceiver lays his baits 
That all our fancies please. * 

Unruly passion, ungoveren'd, 
Will Satan's standard join ; 

And swarms of lawless lusts likewise 
Will follow in his train. 

Should covetousness then prevail ? 

Or discontent abound ? 
When all that's necessary for life 

Is in His favour found, f 

* Amos Ti. 1. 4. 6. t Psalm xxx. 5. 



LOVE NOT THE WOULD. 41 

The poor's condition He hath blessed, 

They sweet contentment find ; 
By health, and reason's exercise, 

They 're blessed with peace of mind. 

If many blessings overweigh 

Our disadvantages, 
Should I the bounty-giver grieve 

In discontentedness ? 

To know content, and overcome 

Myself, is understood 
Will make me here intelligent 

And happy, great and good. 

For fruitless folly toils in vain 

The noble prize to gain ; 
Too long the fleeting things of time 

Have gained on my esteem. 

The time will come when they and we 

Must part, and that at odds ; 
Then let me take the quarrel first, 

That last I may be God's. 

If fit supply of grace be given, 

That I may him enjoy, 
I'll to His glory and his praise, 

My highest powers employ. 



42 LOVE NOT THE WORLD. 

If grace give me th' assurance of 

The crown that cannot fade, 
The worlds attempts I will defy 

To make me poor or sad. 

And God, whose gifts and calling's sure, * 

Will every aid afford ; 
And death can't hinder me to be 

For ever with the Lord. •[• 

When Death shall call me off the st&ge, 

The world shall little miss, 
The sun shall rise as bright and clear, 

The stars as sparkling is. 

And I am sure I'll miss it less 

When freed of all its care, 
When I depart to be with Christ, 

And all his fulness share. 

Here my abode, like David's seat, J 

It soon will empty prove ; 
But better if my vacancy 

Shall fill a place above. 

habitant of feeble clay, 

How frail is my abode ! 
But let its tottering frame give way 

If I am found of God. § 

• Rom. xi. 29. f Rom. xiv. 8. J 1 Sam. xx. 2$. } Col. iii. 3. 



THE WORLD. 
PART III.— Letter C. 

THE WORLD'S GLORIES, HOW SHORT ! AND ITS HONOURS, 
HOW VAIN ! 

The world's but an empty show, 

Its pleasures are but vain ; 
Its honours are bnt mutable, — 

Its glories but a name. * 

Our most sagacious schemes, sometimes 

Are blasted in the bud ; 
It showers its disappointments down 

Where we expected good. 

Its glaring prospects have deceived, 

By its deceitfulness ; 
As many hitherto have found 

By sad experience, f 

A cheering view it first presents, 

But ere the point we gain, 
Our expectation come* to nought, 

And all our hopes are vain. 

• Jerem. ix. 23. f Habak, ii. 16. 



44 the world's glories and honours. 

Stript of the robe of innocence, 

Our best efforts are foiled ; 
Our schemes are often blasted, and 

Our reputation spoiled. * 

Our comliness is soon defaced, 

Although it's hard to gain ; 
A little folly, like the fly, 

Will all our honours stain. -J- 

Earth's treacheries undoes the man 

That puts on it his care ; 
And he who honours it will have 

Reproaches for his share. 

Our welfare passeth as a cloud, 

And terrors doth abound ; \ 
Our soul is poured out in us, 

Which darkens all around. 

Imagination di*eams of sweets, 

Before the truth we know ; 
But in experience we find 

The bitterness of woe. 

Since man hecame bankrupt to heaven, 

Our earthly misery swells ; 
God only has If) speak the word, 

And all our laughter spoils. § 

♦ Eccl. x. I. fEccl. x. 1. J Job. xxx. 15.16.26. }Rev.xviii.7.S. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 45 

The polic of Ahithophel 

Is to confusion brought ; * 
And Hainan's mighty pride and sway, 

Doth quickly come to nought, -j- 

In all his princely pomp he can 

No real content display, 
Because no homage he receives 

From humble Mordecai. J 

When vanity exalts the mind, 

Our honour is debased ; 
By self-preferment we're cast down, 

By humbleness we're raised. § 

What mortifying lessons here, 

To learn to be wise; 
Proud Haman forfeits all his wealth 

To those he did despise. || 

And thus the wealth of wicked men 

Is for the just prepared ; ^| 
For he that heapeth wealth knows not 

By whom it shall be shared. ** 

What pleasure could proud Hainan know 

To look on his estate, 
If he had but foreseen what would 

Be his decided fate ? 

• Sam. xvii 14. t Esther vii. 10. j Esther v. 11. 13. § Luke 
XTiii. H. U Esther viii. 1. H Job xxvi. 17. 18. *• Eccl. ii. 18. 19. 



46 THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 

And that the man he hated most, 

Above all men on earth, 
Should bear rule over all his house 

And cumulated wealth. * 

It is our interest to make sure 

Those riches more refined 
We carry to the other world, 

And cannot leave behind. 

My life's already borrowed, 

For I a debtor be ; 
Yet have an obligation of 

Unsearching riches free. -J* 

The most distinguished honours here, 
Can not compare with this ; 

The lowest part at God's right hand, 
Will be consumate bliss. 

Men of great honour and renown, 

On slippery places stands ; 
For great Adoni-bezek had 

His thumbs cut from his hands. J 

More noble they than happy are 
Who fill the monarch's place ; 

They're hedged around with many straits, 
Which makes the pleasure less. 

° Esther viii. 2. f 1 Cor. iii. 22. J Judges i. 6. 



THE WORLD^ GLORIES AND HONOURS 47 

The conquering banners they may spread, 

And nations make to yield ; 
The great and mighty Conqueror 

Himself will keep the field. 

Though towering high in pomp hell soon 

Be hurled from his place ; 
Their pleasant night will soon be spent, 

Which makes their fears increase. * 

The great Sennacherib's power he breaks, 

And can his threats oppose, 
And quickly turns him when he puts 

His hook into his nose. -J* 

His blasphemies and his reproach 

Seemed heaven to defy, 
But God will send a blast that soon 

Makes nine score thousand die, f 

While Pharaoh's heart he hardeneth, 

That he may forward drive 
Till he his own destruction meets 

Without the least reprive. § 

If he but through the pillar looks, 

There motion he will see, 
Their host retards and quickly throws 

Them headlong in the sea. 

• Isaiah xxi. 4. f 2 Kings xix. 28. J Isaiah xxxvii. 7. 
§ Isaiah xxxvii. 36, || Gen. xiv. 24. 28; 



48 THE WORLDS GLORIES AND HONOURS. 

He made them heavily to drive, 

And off their wheels he tore ; 
Their glory, pride, their host and king, 

He sunk to rise no more. * 

Though Babylon's proud king may boast, 

His haughtiness is vain ; 
If in this life his pleasure lies, 

Then all beyond is pain. 

The sons of Anak high may stand, •{• 

And seem hard to subdue ; 
But if their refuge once is fled, 

They're weak and feeble too. J 

Nebuchadnezzar great and high, 

A mighty conqueror was ; 
But soon was driven out from men, 

With beasts to eat the grass. § 

And the prerogative of God, 

Proud Herod once assumed, 
But to his life and glory too 

The worm gave a wound. || 

How base to stoop to vain applause, 

Or covet empty fame ; 
The vulgar praise at which we grasp, 

At best is but a name. 

* Gen. xiv. 28. f Num. xiii. 33. J Num. xiy. 9. § Dan. iv. 33. 

II Acts xii. 23. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 49 

The highest pitch of honour is 

Affliction's next degree, * 
As Paul could tell, although caught up, 

Was not from trouble free. -}- 

And more exactly we may see 

This truth is verified 
In him who travelled in his strength, 

With all his garments dyed. \ 

When first the morning star unto 

The Gentiles did appear, § 
And the bright day spring knew its place, 

Made darkness disappear. 

When branches in the way were strew'd, 

And high hosanna sound, || 
The Greeks seek after Jesus, and ^f 

The people gather round. 

Well might the Saviour rejoice 

At all these honours paid ; 
But his approaching conflict made 

A gloom to overspread. ** 

And what may sinful mortals meet 

Although enlarged they be, 
When Jesus so much honour got, 
And was in such dismay. 
1 Eccl. vii. 14. f 2 Cor. xii. 7. J Isaih lxiii. 1. $ John xii. 21. || John 
xii. 13. IT John xii. 20. ** John xii. 27. 
E 



50 the world's glories and honours 

This world of mixture and of change. 

Our comfort oft destroys ; 
Our great enlargement meets with checks,, 

That baffles all our joys. 

God brings to nothing mighty men, * 
As tow he makes them fade ; -J- 

He pours contempt on princes, and J 
He makes diviners mad. § 

A backward course He turns the wise, 

And humbles the renown'd ; 
And makes the moths to eat them as 

A garment that 's consumed. || 

Instead of flavour shall be stink ; 

For ornament a stain, ^f 
They're beauty's like a fading flower, 

That will not long remain. ** 

Soon shall their glory fade, and like 

A bird shall fly away ; -J-f 
Quick as proud Haman fell before 

A humble MordeeaL |J 

Although they shine as gold and brass, 

And strong as iron and clay ; 
The stone which without hands is cut, 

Brings down their mighty sway. §§ 

• Isaiah xl. 23. f Isaiah xliii. 17. J Psalm cvii. 30. § Isaiah xliv. 25. 
(I Isaiah li. 8. H Isaiah iii. 24. ** Isaiah xxviii. 4. -ft Ilosea ix. 1 1 
J J Esther v. U.jJDan.ii. 34. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 51 

Although their power and majesty- 
May seem beyond control, 

They fall before Death's iron rod 
Like Abnej, or a fool. * 

The Prince of Tyrus lifts him up, 

A god himself he styl'd, 
But soon shall all his wisdom and 

His brightness be dispell'd. -J- 

Thus saith the Lord, Though Tyrus may 

In glory much excel, 
I from her walls will scrape the dust, 

And make her towers a spoil. \ 

The isles shall shake when thou dost bow, 

And tremble at thy fall ; § 
I'll make a terror of thee that 

Thou be no more at all. || 

When haughty, inconsiderate man, 

His greatness doth display, 
It will not stand the test before 

The majesty on high, ^f 

Belshazzer's cups and pleasures in 

A moment takes the wing. ** 
Goliath's mighty strength is broke 

Before the simple sling. -j--{- 

* 1 Sam, iii. 33. f Ezek. xxviii. 27. J Ezek. xxvi. 4. 21. { Ezek. 
xxvi. 15. 18. || Ezek. xxvi. 21. 1 Luke xviii. 14. ** Dan. v. 5. 
fr 1 Sam. xvii. 50. E 2 



52 the world's glories and honours. 

Though haughty fools, with scornful looks, 

In robes of honour stand, 
What better than Goliath's head, 

When held in David's hand. * 

Although their glaring honours may 

Attraction draw awhile, 
It proves like Michal's image, placed 

Saul's servants to beguile. -J- 

Soon will their pomp be laid in dust, 

And stand them in no stead, 
No more than Sampson's seven locks, 

When shorn from his head. J 

Their pleasures pierce, their joy gives pain, 

Their bliss imaginary ; 
They shadows hunt, they weary are 

With very vanity. § 

They put on violence, and with pride 
They're compass'd as a chain ; || 

Yet waters of a flowing cup 
Shall be pour'd out to them, ^f 

Their pride of heart is mortified, 

And that exceedingly, 
Against faithful Micaiah, and ** 

A stubborn Mordecai. -j-f 

* 1 Sam. xvii. 54. f 1 Sam. xix. 16. J Jud. xvi. 19. § Hab. ii. 13. 

|| Psalm lxxiii. 6. f Psalm lxxiii. 10. o« 1 Kings xxii. 28. 

t| Esther iii. 5. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 53 

Man who in honour wisdom lakes, 
Like beasts leaves this abode ; * 

Preferment's not from east nor west, 
It's not of man — but God. -}- 

The wicked boasts, and in his pride 

Resentment's kindled ; J 
But soon his prospect's blasted, and 

The lofty flattened. § 

In's tabernacle light is dark, || 
His counsel casts him down, ^f 

He tears himself in anger when ** 
He finds he 's fenced round. -|-J- 

He scatters on his tabernacle 

The wrath ingredient ; \$ 
His habitation is forgot, 

When from the earth he 's sent. §§ 

From light to darkness he is driven, 

His glory passeth by, 
He shall be chased from the earth, 

And his remembrance die. |||| 

His mighty schemes, will God confound, 

And will his plans control, 
Make his own counsel cast him down, ^fl[ 

And terrors fill his soul. *** 

* Psal. vlxix.20. f Psal.lxxv. 6. +|Esther v. 9. 12. § Esther vi. 13. 7 
10. || Job xviii. 6: 1 Job xviii. 7. °° Job xviii. 4. tf Job zix. 8. 
JJ Job xviii. 15. $$ Job xviii. 17. |||j Job. xviii. 18. HU Job xviii. 8. 
ooc? Job. xviii. 11. 



54: the world's glories and honours. 

The king of terrors shall arrest, * 
Death's iron power devour, -J- 

His hunger-bitten frame shall waste, J 
Destruction shall be sure. § 

No birth nor rank excuses those 
Who heavenly worth oppose ; 

Though here they seem both rich and great, 
Shall share Bethsaida's woes. || 

They inattentive to the stroke 

And language of the rod, 
They dare oppose his chastishment, 

And brave an angry God. 

The monarchs of the earth a while 

May pomp and glory show ; 
But Heaven sends a conqueror 

That makes their honour bow. 

When inconsiderate man attempts 

His emptyness to show, 
Or rival the eternal One, 

Pride proves his overthrow. 

Belshazzer's great astonishment 

Shows that almighty power, 
For he a single drop of wrath 

At all could not endure. 

• Job xviii. 14. t Job xviii. 13. J Job xviii. 12. } Job xviii. 12. 
II Matt. xi. 21. 



THE WORLD S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 5* 

The form of fingers on the wall 

Shakes his imperial sway, 
At once it puts his glory down 

As low's a clod of clay, * 

All human glory terminates 
When death its reign assumes ; 

It spoils their mirth and royal feast, 
And all their sweet perfumes. 

Belshazzer's joys is soon eclips'd, 

God soon will terror bring ; 
His countenance was ehang'd when once 

His conscience felt the sting. 

Fear blasts his majesty at once, 

And all his comforts break ; 
■God terrifies earth's tyrants and 

Makes lofty cedars shake. 

Dash'd from the pinnacle of power 

The diamond crown will fall ; 
One drop of wrath the conscience fills 

By writing on the wall, -j- 

The sharp rebuke of heaven brings down 

The tyrants of a day ; 
He wastes their beauty like a moth f 

And makes them low to lie. 

Dan. T. 9. f Dan. v. 24. J Psalm xxxix. 11. 



56 the world's glories and honours. 

Though Babylon should mount on high, 
From thenee her strength he'll take ; * 

Like vessels that no pleasure gives, 
The nations he will break. -J* 

Though they like eagles speed their flight, 
And build their nests on high, 

One glance of his almighty power 
Will make their folly fly. \ 

Though Babylon a while may crush, 

And nations may oppress, || 
The measure of his coveting 

Minutely I will trace, ^f 

Their heads I'll bell, their beards I'll clip, ** 

And their foundation shake ; 
Babylon, the hammer of the earth, 

In pieces I will break. -j-J- 

And hell itself shall be enlarged 

To mar their high renown 
Against their pomp and multitude }f 

To dash their glory down. 

The time draws on, when humbl'd all 

Shall be those slaves of sin ; 
Jacob himself shall be made low, 

His glory be made thin. §§ 

* Jer. lj. 53. f Jer. xlviii. 38. J Jer. xlix. 16. || Jer. li. 34. 

If Jer. li. 13. * * Jer. xlviii. 37. ft Jer. 1. 23. %t Is5 *- v. 14. 

($ Isa. xiv. 4. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 57 

They bear the ornament of truth, 

But turn'd it to a lie, 
And changed their glory for that which 

Can never satisfy. * 

The earth itself shall reel and like 

A cottage be removed, 
And where shall then that glory be 

Ye have so much approv'd ! -f- 

Your cities ye have multiply'd, 

But shall not them possess ; 
I'll send a fire that will consume 

Your goodliest palaces. J 

I'll be to Ephraim as a moth, 

And secretly consume ; 
As rottenness to Judah that |[ 

"Will pull their glory down. 

I'll give his riches to the spoil, § 

And that without control ; 
In midst his days he'll leave them and 

He's at the end a fool. ^[ 

Let me all vain delusion, heat, 

And empty pomp despise, 
And in the amiable name 

The Lord my God rejoice. 

° Jer. ii. 11. f Isa. xxiv. 20. J Hos. viii. 14. || Hos. T. 21. 
{ Jer. xv. 13. H Jer. xvii. 11. 



58 the world's glories and honours. 

For he will ornament my frame 

That brighter will appear, 
Than scarlet robes or chains of gold, 

Or shining diamonds clear. 

The Sovereign who governs kings, 

No glaring crown upheld, 
But like a houseless wanderer when 

He trod affliction's field. 

The foxes and the fowls with holes 

Far better are supply'd ; 
From earth's possessions he obtain'd 

No where to lay his head. * 

When on the stage of life he had 

No share in shining things ; 
No empty cradle stands to hold 

The mighty King of Kings, f 

These vain and glaring ornaments 

Are but an empty show, 
And makes us more Gehazie like — 

A leper white as snow. J 

Tho' we like Capernaum be rais'd, || 

Oh, what will it avail ! 
Tho' we be lifted up to heaven 

And then cast down to hell. 

- Mat. xviii. 1 ( J 20. fLukcii. 12. J 2 Kings v. 27. ||Mat.ll23. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 59 

For what avails it, Lucifer, 

That once he shone so bright, 
When all his morning glories set 

In everlasting night. * 

The great inspector every where, 

The haughty pride of man 
In every age their glory he 

Takes much delight to stain. 

And shows how much they are excell'd 
By flowers and blooming vines, 

Their splendid magnificent robes 
The lily far outshines. -J- 

By simple means he can do more 
Than mighty monarch's sway, 

For pitchers, lamps, and trumpet's sound 
Will make an host give way. J 

Altho' at first the trees may choose 

The bramble for their king, § 
Abimelech's at first approv'd 

In wickedness to reign. || 

But that in human sacrifice 

He offer'd up to Baal, 
Will er't be long rewarded be 

By him who governs all. ^f 

* Isa. xiv. 12. t Mat. vi. 29. + Jud. vii. 19 20. { Jud. ix. 14, 
|| Jud. ix. 5 6. IF Jud. ix 5. 



60 the world's glories and honours. 

For Jotham's curse will soon expand 

The spark into a flame 
Which will Abimelech devour 

And Sechemites will tame. * 

He'll change their glory into shame, •{• 

And fan them with a fan, J 
But with a pleasent countenance 

Beholds the upright man. || 

It's from thy hand that power and might, 
And strength and success fall ; 

Riches and honour are with thee 
Who reigneth over all. § 

The world's honours may be call'd 

A shadow or a form, 
For by the tempter it's reserv'd 

As his most powerful charm. 

For when he found the Saviour proof 

Against his policy, 
He us'd this as the last effort 

Against his constancy. 

And when the crafty tempter found 

His stratagems oppos'd, 
He on the highest mount of thought 

His innocence expos'd. ^f 

Judg.ix.5657. flsa.iv.7. JJer.xv.7. |] Psal. xi. 7- 
$ 1 Chron. xxix. 12. If Matt. iv. 3. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 61 

And show'd the kingdoms of the earth, 

And all its shining things, 
But these are look'd at with contempt 

By this great King of Kings. 

And tho' this strong battery could not 

The Rock of ages move, 
Yet unto many thousands it 

Doth captivating prove. 

Tho' every evil, sin, and snare, 

And each temptation too, 
I'm strongly fortified against, 

And able to subdue. 

But if the Spirit, power, and grace, 

And presence of the Lord 
Do not an armour fit provide 

And strengthening aid afford, 

This overflowing evil would 

My feeble efforts win, 
And by the glories of the world 

I soon would be undone. 

Were I a beggar, poor and mean, 

Tho' harmless and free, 
I very proudly would wish 

A monarch great to be. 



62 the world's glories and honours. 

And tho' I wear the imperial crown. 
How soon those honours die, 

A Beggar I would gladly been 
When on death's bed I ly. 

When the grim messenger appears 
His dark empire to show, 

No thrones nor crowns will then retard 
The solemn interview. 

No 'cumulated wealth will screen 
From this sad overthrow, 

No gold nor silver e'er will bribe 
This unrelenting foe. * 

This lost, this lurking enemy, 

Which in our bosom lies, 
Takes in the fortress of our life 

By numerous avenues. 

But only everlasting is 
Th' enjoyment of my God, 

It is precisely as I wish, 
Its lasting, wide, and broad. 

They that be wise shall shine as bright 

As stars in splendid hue, 
And they who raise up sons to God 

Their brightness shall renew, f 

o Zqh. i, IS. fDan. xii 3. 



THE WORLD'S GLORIES AND HONOURS. 63 

Those glories so transparent is 

That brighten heaven above, 
The honours high which it confers 

As tokens of his love. 

It's to those honours I aspire, 

may they be made mine, 
Then all the glories of the world 

1 cheerfully resign. 



THE WORLD'S AMBITION. 
PART IV.— Letter D. 



With diligence the husbandman 
Manures and tills the field, 

And cultivates with care that it 
A rich produce may yield. 

But after all the means and care 

Industry doth afford, 
The useful seeds of wheat will not 

Grow of its own accord. 

The seeds we sow, the roots we plant, 
That rich production bring, 

Our gardens we must plant and prune 
Before their blossoms spring. 

Whereas obnoxious weeds will rise 

In the most fruitful field, 
Without a hand to plant or sow 

Tho' carefully it's till'd. 



the world's ambition. 65 

So does ambition's venom'd seed 

Its vile production raise, 
And its unhallowed roots we find 

Encumber all our ways. 

Ambition early took its rise 

And soon its ills began, 
Scarce had the morning rays of time 

Produced an help for man, 

Till he above his station look'd, * 

And soon he catch'd a fall ; 
Tho' he had much, he more desir'd, 

By which he lost it all. -J- 

They vainly grasp Ishmael's gifts, \ 
Which vainly please the sense ; 

But disregards an Isaac's share, 
The rich inheritance. § 

We being man, would gods become, || 

Our pride so high did swell ; 
No bounds our high ambition had, 

When man did once rebel. 

For Eden's garden full of fruit 

Could not him satisfy, 
When once on the forbidden part 

He set a lustful eye. ^f 

° Gen. iii. 6. f Gen. iii. 24. + Gen. xxv. 6. } Gen. xxv. 6. 

|| Geru iii. 5. H Gen. iii. 6. 

F 



66 THE world's ambition. 

Ambition spreads its wide empire 

In a successive reign ; 
E'er since the prince of darkness first 

Possessed the hearts of men. 

Altho' on earth it has its seat, 

It was conceiv'd on high, 
Where Lucifer the morning sun 

His service did deny. * 

I will, saith he, exalt my throne, 

Above the stars of God ; -J* 
Assume the sovereignty, 

Possess the high abode. J 

For as no higher place for him 

In heav'n could be obtain'd, 
But be a servant unto man § 

This service he disdain'cL 

But he who nature's helm holds, 

Check'd his ambition soon ; 
Michael and his angels fought, || 

And cast the dragon down. 

And when Immanuel's day was come, 

A greater blow was given ; 
With pleasure satan he beheld, 

As lightning fall from heaven, ^f 

•Isa. xiv. 12. tlsa. xiv. 13. J Isa. xiv. 14. }Heb. i. 14. 
|| Rev. xii. 7. H Luke x. 18. 



tpf world's avbition. 67 

But t :s net Lis haughty pride, 

So high his malice ran. 
That with a daring impudence 

Insults the Holy One. * 

Nor did his high ambition stop 

With the supremacy, 
But insults nature's sovereign with 

u Fall down and worship me." 7 

This mi. i-leceiver all 

His policy he brings, 
As if to assume the sover'nty 

Over the King of kings, 

And since no higher sphere than 

A servant he could find, 
Attempts to be a king on earth 

His empire t: extend. 

And when this strong invader came 

TLr world to annoy. J 
Death marched closely in his rear 

His captives to destroy. § 

He uses all his policy 

His subjects to seduce, 
And many characters assumes 

:ce to induce. 

•Lnkeiv. 7. fMatt. :t. 9. tRer.xn.12. fBcv.11.fl 

f 2 



*8 THE WORLD'S AMBITION. 

He sometimes like a dog would fawir. 

His prey more to ensure, 
But more a roaring lion like * 

A dragon to devour. *{- 

A subtile serpent to deceive, J 

A cunning fox to bite ; 
But fear him most when he's transform^ 

To an angel of light. § 

Nor is't this mortal life alone 

This enemy assails, 
But our eternal hopes are lost 

If his attempts prevails. 

To break man's fellowship with heav'ra, 

These aspects he assumes, 
And glory seem'd itself eclips'd, || 

And darkness all around. 

But scarce the clouds overspread the sky r 

Till light again appear'd ; ^f 
The son of righteousness arose, ** 

And soon the darkness clear'd. 

The herald Gabriel darts the sky, -}•-$- 

On gospel wing did fly, 
The joyful tidings to proclaim, 

The prince of peace is nigh. } J 

oi Pet. v. 8. f^ev. xii. 13. J Gen. iii. 1. {2Cor.xi. 14. 
H Gen. iii. 9. H Gen. iii. 15. ** Mai. iv. 2. ft Luke i. 19. 
Xt Iaa. ix. 6. 



THE WORLD S AMBITION, b 

Who like a conquering hero cornea, 

With pity to his friends, 
And that he may their fetters loose, 

The strong man first he binds. * 

This noble champion takes the field, 

Ambition to oppose ; 
He breaks the rebel monarch's head, f 

His kingdom overthrows, $ 

Thus he whose great ambition was 

To do the wffl of God, 
He conquered the conqueror, 

The combat he withstood. § 

Altho' no friend him to assist, || 

Th' ambitious tyrant seiz'd, 
And baffl'd all his force and fraud, 

All that his craft devis'd. 

Nor did he lay his weapons by 

Till victory he proclaim'd, ^f 
And bet the prince of darkness down, 

And captive slaves redeem'd. 

And lucifer, the morning's sun, 
He cast down to the ground ; 

And satan's legions all were made 
To own his sovereign hand. ** 

•Matt. xii. 29. fGen. iii.5. J Luke xi. 22. $Lukeiv.l3. 
!| Isa. lxiii. 5. f John xix. 30. •« Matt. viii. 29. 



70 the world's ambition. 

His words doth fiends infernal tame, * 
And the strong one he binds ; 

Hell's legions silenceth, and to -J* 
Their destination sends. J 

He can restrain all tyrany, 

And their ambition bonnd 
With flashing lightning, and makes fire 

To run upon the ground. § 

Ambition stretches high as heav'n, 

Its object to ensure ; 
Strikes at divine authority in 

Defiance of his power. || 

But yet its projects God refutes, 

If he to judgment rise ; 
In their projected craftiness 

He takes the worldly-wise, ^f 

If God shall run upon them he 
Their foe will surely prove, ** 

Wherein they proudly dealt they'll find 
That he is far above. f-J- 

Altho' by care they may increase, 
Yet they shall not be rich, JJ 

Because contentment only is 
The object maketh such.§§ 

°Lukeviii.28. fLukeviii.30. JKev.xx.23. {Exod. ix. 23. 

ft Job xv. 25. IF Job v. 13. *»Jobxv.24. tfExod.xviii.il. 

It Job xv. 29. $$ 1 Tim. vi. 6. 



THE WORLD'S AMBITION. 71 

Our wild ambition wish for more 

Than we can well obtain ; 
Tho' much on earth we may possess, 

Our greatness is but mean. 

Ambition fill'd Gehazie's heart, 

And falsely made him claim 
The things which proved a burden, and 

Entailed on him a stain. * 

No fence against the coming storm, 

Which on the wicked fall ; 
Escape is unavoidable, 

The tempest horrible, -J- 

Ambition is a smiling pledge, 

A gilded misery, 
The mother of hypocrisy, 

The parent of envy. 

It's the original of vice, 

The moth of holiness ; 
It blinds the mind and kills the sense, 

And poisons every bliss. 

It's venom'd with infection where 

Ambition spreads its sails ; 
It much discord and discontent 

Engenders where it dwells. 

*2 Kings v. 22. fPsal.xi. 6. 



72 the world's ambition. 

Though o'er a kingdom or empire 
We hold the sovereign sway, 

Our boundless wild extravagance 
This would not satisfy, * 

For our unruly passions would 
Not to be this confin'd, 

Unless a neighbour's privilege- 
To us be likewise joined. 

And Naboth's garden we possess, 

Ourselves to gratify ; 
Yet our remembrancer within 

Will prove our enemy, -j- 

And soon will make our comforts and 

Our pleasures disappear ; 
A bow, though at a venture drawn, 

Will end our wild career. J 

The earth's the Lord's, in it we have 

A suitable supply, 
To use't as not abus'd, that we 

Give no offence thereby. § 

The selfconceited glory in 

The things that's not their own ; 

All their peculiar gifts are God's, 
They come from him alone. || 

c 1 Kings xxi. 2. 1 1 Kings xxi. 20. J 1 Kings xxi. 34. 
1 1 Cor. x. 32. || 1 Cor. iv. 6, 7. 



the world's ambition. 73 

There's elegant gradation from 

Wealth thence to royalty ; * 
Pride overrates its benefits, 

O'erlooks benignity. 

My great ambition, let it be, 

To walk the heavenly road, 
And get my name recorded there, 

And be approv'd of God. 

However disregarded here, 

We're well assur'd of this, 
As long's the record stands to be 

Held in remembrance. 

If the recorder can not be 

By boundless space contain'd, 
How can our charter be forgot, 

That such a hand has penn'd ? 

He hath our welfare much at heart, 

His love to us is thus, 
That intimately he regards 

A union with us. 

Inestimable privilege, 

Be this my portion here, 
And I'll not covet crowns, nor yet 

Envy to conquerors bear. 

°lCor. iy. 8. 



74 the world's ambition. 

For it was but a Jehu said, 
" Come my zeal and see ;" * 

It was a Saul that said before, 
" The people honour me." \ 

The wages of unrighteousness 

Does all our honours stain ; 
As witness Balaam, son of Beor, 

When found among the slain. J 

Th' enchanter's greedy grasp for an 

Unhallowed reward, 
Soon found his way obstructed by 

The angel's drawn sword. § 

To heights of our own raising, oft 

Ambition will aspire, 
And resolutely boast of work 

That wickness inspires. || 

How fondly do we reckon as 
If earth and time were ours, 

But on our peremptory plans 
God indignation pours, ^j 

Pride would a city build, which would 
As high as heaven reach ; ** 

And covetousness would expand 
Unto the highest stretch. 

° 2 Kings x. 16. f 1 Sam. xv. 30. J Jos. xiii. 22. 

i Num. xxii. 23. || Gen. xi. 3. 1 Gen. xi. S. ♦• Gen. xi. 4. 



the world's ambition. 75 

It's just with God to countermand * 

Our vain extravagance ; 
And impious presumption check, 

And our vain arrogance. 

It's glory, not commodity — 

Not safety, but a name — -$- 
Unlimited ambition fix'd 

On unremitting fame. 

Man, net content to know as God, 

Ambition hath him driven, 
That he would dwell as God, and build 

A tower to reach to heaven. J 

The .act and issue both are vain, 

In this ambitious scheme ; 
The structures in vain glory rear'd 

Is often shut in shame. § 

For this ambitious arrogance 

Was but a thirst for fame ; 
Not that they wish'd to neighbour heavfy 

But be earth's famous men. 

But why does not Jehovah stop 

Ambition in its birth ? 
Does he forbear and fools allow 

To run them out of breath. 

• Gen. xi. 7. f Gen. xi. 4. J Gen. xi. 4. § Gen. xi. 9. 



76 the world's ambition. 

How easy God ten thousand ways, 

Can wicked men direct ; 
Their greatest projects he forestalls, 

And can their pride correct. 

Their monuments of madness, he 

Interrupting by his might, 
Arrests their saucy arrogance, 

From swelling to its height. 

No force nor fraud ambition stints, 

If Satan's power prevail ; 
But Israel's God their safety is, 

And Balak's curse will fail. * 

Whate'er ambition may devise, 
God's mighty hand restrains ; -J- 

While Israel safe securely sits, 
From foe's malicious ends. 

By divination's large reward- 
Is our ambition strain'd ; 

But wicked men dare not their curse 
Nor covetousness vend. J 

But what will stop a Balaam's course, 

If honour be ensur'd ; 
If he preferment see, he braves 

The angel's drawn sword. § 

• Num. xxiii. 8. f Num. xxii. 12. J Num. xxiii. 26. 

$ Num. xxii. 33. 



THE WORLD'S AMBITION. IT 

How great a blessing, if restraint, 

Our covetous designs ; 
But if in judgment God permit, 

How great a curse it binds. * 

When we seek dazzling things of earth,. 

We know not what we ask ; 
When our ambition's soaring high, 

Shame will our efforts blast. \ 

Let kings and queens to God submit, 
At whose consent they're crown'd, 

Who can bring down their glory, and 
Their policies confound. \ 

It's folly to prescribe to God, 

It's wisdom to subscribe ; § 
When we seek for preeminence, 

Ambition will not hide. 

With eagerness in Balaam's steps, 

His errors they esteem, 
And like the ocean's roaring waves, 

Foaming out their own shame. || 

Ziba is not satisfy 'd, 

Tho' high in state he stands ; 
He cares not for his master's head, 

If he could have his lands, ^f 

°Num. xxxi. 16. fMark x. 41. J Jer. jciii. 18. 

{ Mark xiii. 35. || Jude xi. 12, 13. % 2 Sam. xvi. 



78 the world's ambition. 

But why is more so eager in 

Pursuit of world's gain ; 
Why so ambitious for the things 

That doth so short remain. 

Why so ambitious in pursuit 

Of perishable store, 
And so neglectful of the things 

That last for evermore. 

Your vain aspiring prospects grasp 
For much, but it's but small ; 

I'll blow upon it, saith the Lord, 
And waste your little all. * 

Why should I covet that by which 

Israel's discomfited ; 
A garment rich can never screen, 

If it's prohibited, -j- 

The ragged clothes, and garments mean, 
And clouted shoes and old, 

Will do more for the Gibeonites, 
Than Achan's wedge of gold. J 

If I ambition lodge, or yet 
Should suffer'd it to reign, 

My peace it shortly would beguile, 
And all my actions stain. 

°Hag. i. 9. "f Jos. yii. 24, t Jos. ix. 5, 



THE WORLD'S AMBITION. 79 

Altho' our luxuries increase, 

We are not satisfied ; 
For sin before the flesh we eat, 

Has all our comforts dyed. * 

We often murmur at our lot, 

With seeming discontent, 
Because our wild extravagance 

Beyond our reach is bent. 

Why should I scorn or reject, 

What I can well procure ; 
And vainly covet or desire 

What is beyond our power. 

Let my ambitious object be, 

While earth is my abode, 
My Saviour's favour to secure, 

And glorify my God. 

My station here he measures out, 

And my ambition sounds, 
And to my meanest wishes too, 

His mercy has set bounds. 

And tho' my vain ambition swell 

Unto the highest pitch, 
It's but the mercy of our God 

Alone that maketh rich, f 

°Num. xL 33. fProv. x. 22, 



80 the world's ambition. 

Tho' Othniel, Kirjath-sepher smite, 
And Achsah may obtain, * 

His happiness is not complete, 
Without a water spring. 

The upper springs of heavenly bliss, 
Must first come from above ; 

And neither springs of fruitfulness, 
Subjoined with peace and love. 

If I my Saviour's love secure, 

His favour is the best ; 
For all that's necessary he gives, 

And promises the rest. 

Then let my forward courage drivG 
The strait and narrow road, 

And my ambitious object be 
The honour of my God. 

What's absolutely necessary, 

may I still pursue, 
And each returning day, with care, 

My diligence renew. 

And after what's attainable, 

let my soul aspire, 
For what is obvious to find, 

1 easy may acquire. 

ojosh. xv. 17, 19. 



THE WORLD'S AMBITION. 81 

The things of estimable worth , 

When once it is possess'd, 
Their great advantage can not be 

By simple word expressed. 

give a pious contrite heart 

Thee always to adore, 
And an enlighten'd eye that I 

Thy wonders may explore. 

may I seek the charity 

That will me edify, 
And cultivate a humble faith 

My heart to purify. 

A child-like faith in Jesus Christ, 

A faith that works by love ; 
For that's the faith presents the key 

To open heaven above. 

Let this my great salvation be, 

And my supreme desire ; 
The object after which I may 

With earnestness enquire. 

And with an active diligence, 

A steady course pursue, 
Forgetting what's behind and have 

Eternity in view. • 



82 the world's ambition. 

And let industry's honest hand 
For daily wants prepare, 

But not to grasp immoderate gains 
Which create vexatious care. 

The sun retards his rapid course 
At Joshua's command, * 

But God forbids my active soul 
To halt or make a stand. 

But onward move with active care, 

In diligence proceed ; 
For true religion's not compos'd 

In notions of the head. 

These flying notions scarcely should 
Employ my meanest part ; 

The piety which God approves 
Is centr'd in the heart, 

Let absolute authority 

The sceptre ever sway, 
And overawe my sinful heart 

To yield obediently. 

My ungovern'd appetite, 
Allegiance doth refuse ; 

And my unruly passions doth 
His government abuse. 

©Jos. x. 12. 



the world's ambition. 83 

No place can alter nature's case, 

Nor its condition change ; 
For angels would be glorious, 

Altho' with men they range. 

But man would be but earth, tho' he 

Were plae'd above the clouds ; 
His miseries and maladies * 

Would wait on him in crowds. 

Our great presumption is to join 

The sovereign on the throne, 
Aspiring to be gods, and thus -j- 

To be excell'd by none. 

Tho' God be sovereign, we would rule, 

And would ourselves protect ; 
Heaven's righteous laws, our little self 

Endeavours to correct. 

Tho' God for us takes special care, 

And does, or else we're lost ; 
Yet we would for ourselves take care, 

And live without his cost. J 

When we should honour, love, and serve, 

And on the Lord depend, 
We quarrel with his providence, 

And fain would them amend. 

* 2 Cor. xii. 7. f Ezek. xxviii. 2. J Job xxi. 14. 
g2 



84: the world's ambition. 

Men's eyes to us, instead of God's/ 

Directed, we've desir'd ; 
To be extol'd, depended on, 

By all the earth admir'd. 

The Creator's wisdom will appear, 

To cheek extravagance ; 
In humbling us because we're of 

So mean materials. * 

If we should rax above our reach, 

He'll our ambition stop ; 
Cast dung upon our face, and make -J- 

Our comliness to blot. 

Besides the common livelier, 

Which makes the strongest yield, 

The mighty monarchs of the earth 
Must all give up the field. 

A little house contains us all, 
To which we must resign ; 

Our narrow limits it receives, 
Our prospects will confine. 

Take but a survey of the grave, 
Where we must shortly dwell, 

You'll hear the solemn summons sound 
From every funoral knell. 

• Gen. ii 7. 1 Mala ii. 8. 



the world's ambition. 85 

solemn thought, let this inspire 

My daily watchfulness, 
And wean me from the world's glare, 

And stent extravagance. 

Draw but the curtains of the grave, 
And strike your wondering eyes 

Upon the sad deformity, 
With wonder and surprise. 

The haughty tenents of the earth, 

How loathsome they become, 
When putrifaction is the fate 

Attends the silent home. 

Were all the bones of all the dead 

Collected in one place, 
And Jehu ask who slew all these, * 

The answer would be this, — 

Sin entered the world first, 

And sin alone's the cause ; 
But close behind him in the rear 

Came death with open jaws, -j- 

And made the world a Golgotha $ 

Of sculls and bones and dead, 
And breaks the tyrant's power and wounds 
Ambition's haughty head. 

* 2 Kings x; 9. -j Rom. r. 12. J;Mark xv. 22. 



86 the world's ambition. 

Accus'd, condemn'd, as criminals, 
The swift decison's pass'd ; 

The sentence, dust to dust returns, * 
Decides our fate at last. 

But still more awful is the case, 
And sentence more severe, 

When wicked men before the Judge 
Are summon'd to appear. 

Let not ambition cloud the sense, 
The solemn import weigh ; 

For on our thoughts and acts the Judge 
Will pass his scrutiny. 

If we the terrors of the Lord, 
To mind would but recall, 

Would tremble like Belshazzar at 
The writing on the wall. -J* 

And stent our wild extravagance, 
And seek the immortal prize, 

And with a firm unerring step 
Proceed in wisdom's ways. 

With high ambitious courage strive 

That I may overcome ; 
With faith and hope the summit reach, 

As sharer of the throne. 

*Gen. iii. 19. fBtxn. v. 5. 



THE WORLDS RICHES. 
PART V.— Letter E. 



Both mean and destitute we were, 
When first our frame was rear'd, 

And shall as empty go to dust, 
As first when we appeared. * 

And we may place but small esteem 
On what attracts the sense, 

As we brought nothing here with us, 
And shall have nothing hence. -J- 

And God forbid that we at all 
Undue esteem should frame 

Upon the things that will leave us, 
Or we be ta'en from them. 

As first we came, we soon must go, 
With nothing in our hand ; 

And Riches will be vain as if 
We laboured for the wind. J 

* Job i. 21. fl Tim. vi. 7. JEcl. v. 15, 16. 



88 the world's riches. 

Uncertain are the riches which 
Make wings and fly away, * 

And as far as we follow them, 
So far we go astray. 

Although they be the objects which 

Great men have gloried, -[■ 
Yet the prosperity of fools 

Shall be destroyed. J 
< 
The less my gain, the less my care, 

I'm less exposed to harm ; 
For food and clothing's all we want 

To nourish and to warm. § 

If treasures fill'd so good a king || 

With pride and vanity, ^j 
No wonder though kind providence 

Supplied them wings to fly. 

Those riches which he gloried in, 

Will not be with him still ; 
The hallow'd vessels which he show'd 

Will idol temples fill. ^ 

If gold is but a part of earth, 

Its meanness I'll despise ; 
Lest it make me forget my course 

To gain th' immortal prize. 

° Tro. xxiii. 4. f Jer. ix, 23. } Prov. i. 22. $ 1 Tim. vi. 8. 
fj Hez. f Isa. xxxix, 2. •• Isa, xxxix. 6. 



the world's riches. 89 

The camel may easier pass 

The narrow needle's eye, * 
Than that a heart on riches set 

Could waft itself on high. 

Then labour not for riches first, 
And think you'll them enjoy ; f 

If you neglect the present time, 
You lose your chief employ. 

Although your riches 'cumulate, 

And much increase your store, 
They will increase that eat them too, 

Till they will be no more. J 

The man who makes not God his friend, 

His prospects are but vain, 
For riches but uncertain is, 

And leaves behind a stain. § 

They bar the gates of Paradise, 

And clogs us on the way ; 
To carry them to heaven is an 

Impossibility. || 

Set not your heart on riches, if 

The blessing they retard ; 
Nor eat the bread of carefulness, ^f 

Arid lose the great reward. 

♦Matt. xix. 24. f Pro. xxv. 4, 5. JEcc-L v. 11. 
i Psal. Hi. 7. || Matt. xix. 24. f Ezek. xii. 19. 



90 THE WORLD'S RICHES. 

Store not up riches that ye may 
Your future plans pursue ; 

Nor lose the present moment for 
Such an uncertain view. 

He who has most of earthly things, 

It is a dangerous sign ; 
That he who sets his heart on earth 

Is snatch'd away in prime. 

Just when they have their houses built, 
And their estates are clear'd, 

The sentence ushers from the throne, 
Thy soul shall be requir'd. * 

Our riches here is heaven's crumbs, 
Dogs hath the largest share ; 

But yonder stands a large supply, 
Rich both to give and spare. f 

Though riches here may take the wing, 
And soon from me may fly ; 

In Christ I have the treasure of 
A long eternity. 

His service most enriching is, 
We should it most regard ; 

It is most honourable, and too, 
The hire's a large reward, J 

«Luke xii. 20. fEph. ii. 8. J Matt. v. 12. 



THE WORLD'S RICHES. 91 

For those that Christ an errand sends, 

Their charges he will pay ; 
For raiment, food, and necessaries, 

His bounty will supply. * 

No gold nor silver he desires, 

Their progress should retard ; 
Jehovah-jireh will provide, f 

Himself is the reward. 

In him is treasured up for me, 

Grace, royal magazine, J 
In which all kind of rich supply, 

I easy can obtain. 

All warlike stores for me prepar'd, 

And I may find them here ; 
A sword, a helmit, and a shield, § 

A compass too, to steer. 

His legacy makes o'er to me, 

And freely doth bequeath 
His purchase and his promises, 

All that he is and hath. || 

In him all knowledge, treasures meet, 

Which wisdom hath in store, 
And what I would he freely gives, ^f 

Till I can ask no more. 

* Phil. iv. 9. f Gen. xxii. 14. J 1 Cor. iii. 22. 
§ Eph. Yi. 17. || 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23. IT Eph. i. 3. 



92 the world's riches. 

The everlasting covenant, 
With blessing full and free ; 

The charter's broad, the writer's good, 
And all's made o'er to me. * 

When worldly men grow rich and great, 

Why should I be afraid ; 
When my inheritance is sure, 

I will not them regard. .-{- 

For tho T I heap up gold as dust, 
And raiment as the clay, J 

It shall not stand in any stead, 
In that tremendous day. 

The world's glorious spoils I would, 

With Abram despise ; 
A latchet thread would be too much, 

If less would me suffice. § 

Though I have all that earth could give, 

I find it's but a name ; 
Could it a moment's life bestow, 

Or happiness maintain. 

What greater wealth could I desire*, 

While I on earth remain, 
But patience to possess my soul, || 

For that's my greatest gain. 

* 1 Cor. iii. 23. f Psulm xl. 1 6. J Job xxvii. 16. 
$Gen. xiv. 23. || Luke ii. 19. 



the world's riches. 93 

What's money, honour, houses, lands, 

Possessions, all I have ; 
Could they procure respite from death, 

Or buy me from the grave. 

Will gold or silver plead my cause 

Before the Judge's face ; 
Or open heaven's gates or lead 

The way to hapiness. 

Will riches here adorn my soul, 

Or bring it nearer God ; 
Or will they forward me to walk 

The strait and narrow road. 

Was gold e'er found true virtue's friend^ 

Or need it be employ'd 
To be a guide to goodness, nay, 

Much virtue it's destroy'd. * 

The love of money is a root 

To many evils tend ; f 
Look but a*t Achan's tragedy, J 

Or Judah's fearful end. § 

The Saviour warns not to covet 

Worldly wealth or gain, 
For if we place our treasure here, 

It will not long remain. || 

* 1 Tim. vi. 10. f 1 Tim. vi. 10. J Josh. vii. 25. 
§ Matt, xxvii. 5. || Luke xii. 31, 33. 



94 the world's riches. 

If wealth and riches be our lot, 
And much of worldly store, 

How mean must be our portion if 
These trifles we adore. 

We're put upon our choice that we 

Our portion may secure, 
And if the choice we make is wise, 

Our treasure may be sure. 

Let none whose riches do increase 
Upon their wealth depend ; * 

If rich in good works, trust in God, -J- 
You'll prosper in the end. 

To treasure up in treasuries, 

Where safe your stock will stand, 

The treasures will be most secure, 
That's plac'd at God's right hand. J 

Our treasures here will soon consume, 
However dear they're bought ; 

They'll mar, decay, and weather like 
A girdle good for nought. § 

They have a principle in them 
To moulder and consume ; 

How childish then to place our store 
Where we arc rob'd so soon. 

• 1 Tim. vi. 17. 1 1 Tim. vi. 18. J 1 Tim. vi. 19. 
{J or. xiii. 7, 10. 



the world's riches. 95 

Our 'cumulating wealth entise 

The robber and the thief; 
And riches for the owner kept, 

Is cause of much mischief. * 

Disquieting cares the common fruit 

Of an abundant store ; 
Perplexed how to store it, and 

Solicitous for more. f 

Perplexed how to spare and spend, 
And how to watch and keep ; f 

For the abundance of the rich 
Permits him not to sleep. § 

And so far he forgets himself, 

For so far he's empowr'd ; 
He thinks himself the master, when 

He's only but the steward. || 

To say my goods, my fruit bespeaks, 

The language of a fool ; 
The corn and wine, saith God, are mine, 

As well's the flax and wool, ^f 

The rich man treasures for himself 

Possessions large and broad ; 
But all his stores is meanness when 

He's not rich towards God. ** 

«Eccl. v. 13. fLukesii. 17. JLukexii. 18. $Eccl.v.I2. 
|| Luke xii. 19. THos. ii. 8, 9. °»Lukexii.21. 



J)jG THE WORLD'S RICHES. 

For riches here is not the test 

Of God's unerring care ; 
Though Lazarus have but the crumbs^ 

With Abraham he will share. * 

Our soft repose, our rich attire, 

And our delicious fare, 
Combine our passions to inflame, 

Our senses to ensnare* *J- 

The rich that would the poor oppress, 

The Lord will him despise, 
For better to be poor than rich, 

If perverse in our ways. J 

If by deceit the wicked doth 

Enrich himself with spoil, 
Yet his engrossing grasp is but 

A conscience starting toil. 

In pain he travels all his days, § 

No solid bliss enjoys ; 
So miserable ambition is, 

It's eagerness annoys. 

He's vex'd, disturb'd, unsettl'dness, 

How he may all secure, 
Lest when he prospers, suddenly 

Destruction overpower. || 

•Luke xvi. 21, 23. 1 1 Tim. vi. ix. JProv. xx iii. 28, 
{ Job xv. 20. J) Job xv. 21. 



the world's riches. 97 

Disturbed with consternation, * 

He dreads the threaten'd rod, 
And in commotion, Cain-like, 

Flies to the land of Nod. f 

Tho' he abundant riches 'mass, 

They may not long remain ; 
Nor yet shall he be rich, because J 

Contentment's only gain. § 

Though he's in care to get, yet God 

Defeats his enterprise, 
And breaks his measures, blasts his hopes, 

And all his prospects dies. || 

Like unripe grapes, his substance shakes, 
Like blighted blossoms fall ; fl 

Nor shall he long continue green, ** 
The flame shall dry up all. -J-J- 

A dreadful sound is in his ears, }f 

Of indignation ; 
A Magor-missabib's on him, §§ 

Sent from the highest throne. 

His conscience like the flaming sword 

That turned every way, 
In all its glittering fiery force 

Resists in its display. 

* Job xv. 22. t Gen. iv. 16. + Job xv. 29. $ 1 Tim. vi. 6. 

|| Job v. 12. II Job xv. 33. *o Job xv. 32. ft Job *▼• 30 - 

it Job xv. 21. {} Jer. xx. 3. 

H 



8 THE WORLD S RICHES', 

Yet on the flaming sword he runs, 

And inadvertently, 
As if the Almighty's buckler and 

Thick bosses could defy. * 

They put their great engine of gifts 

Into the devil's power, 
And use their riches that they may 

His interest more ensure. 

Not only drown'd with luxuries, 

But boiling with revenge, 
And with a peevish envy pin'd, 

And transported with rage. 

But vain man the caution take. 
Though flatteries ye may gain. 

And not be puffed up with wealth, 
As your besetting sin. -J- 

Attempt not to contend with God, 

And enmity display ; J 
As ashes, your remembrance is, 

Your bodies like the clay. § 

Though men may seem to reign as kings, 

Their riches they admire ; || 
Jehovah's indignation, ^f 

Consumeth like a fire. ** 

Job xv. 27. flTim.vi. 17. J Job xiii. 8. $Job*ii. 12, 
)| 1 Cor. iv. 8. 11 Psai. lxix. 24. -">* Psal. lxxviii. 49. 



the world's riches. 99 

But does not stir up all his wrath, 

He knows man's frail and vain ; * 
They're like a wind that pass away, 



And cometh not again. 



They dignify their worldly gains 
With treasure's noble name, 

Although so evanescent that 
It cannot long remain. 

Soon may the holder lose his store 

So feeble is the band ; 
Or yet himself may fall a prey 

To death's unsparing hand. 

Although his gold may furnish with 

A funeral's splendid scene, 
It cannot farther go with him 

Unto the world unseen. 

The rich that set their heart on wealth, 
Shall wither as the grass ; J 

Then let them not in wealth, but in 
Humility rejoice. § 

We're first cast down before we're rais'd, 

God's purposes is such, 
That we're imprison'd to be free, 

Impoverish'd to be rich. || 

°Psal. lxxviii. 30. fPsal. lxxix. 39. J James i. 11. 
§ James i. 10. U Prov. xiii. 7. 

h2 



300 THE WORLD^S RICHES; 

And they that hasten to be rich, 
Involve themselves in snares, * 

And grasp at more than's necessary, 
They drown themselves in cares. •£■ 

How great a burden riches is, 

Temptation's in their use ; 
Both care and toil in getting them, 

And guilt in their abuse. J 

The keeping them's a burden too r 
The losing them gives pain ; 

At last a great account's to give, 
For this uncertain gain. § 

Nehushtan, nasty thing of nought r 

Refrain your fond desire, 
Lest that lov'd idol ye adore 

Be thrown into the fire. || 

Remove the fatal 'cumbrance 

That so much disaccord, 
Lest poor, we stretch the pilfering hand, 

Or rich, forget the Lord, ^f 

It's comely that we here enjoy 

The portion God bestows ; 
Our comfort and our credit too, 

In its free use it shows. ** 

♦ Prov. xxviii. 20. 1 1 Tim. vi. 9. J 1 Tim. vi. ft 

$ Luke xii. 21. H 2 Kings xviii. 4. If Prov. xxx. S. 

oc Eccl. v. 18, 19. 



THE WORLD'S RICHES, 10 L 

When God bestows such gifts on man, 

As riches, wealth, and fame, 
And yet the world's miser has 

No power to use the same. * 

The more his riches is enlarg'd, 

His cravings more increase ; 
His appetite is never fill'd, 

Nor his desires the less. -J- 

He that loves silver, never can 

With it be satisfy'd ; 
Nor he that loves abundance will 

With increase be supply'd. f 

Who would not then with Israel's King, 
A good name first make choice, 

And favour more than gold for it 
Makes neither good nor wise. § 

Though with abundance we be bless'd, 

And riches is inereas'd, 
They cannot satisfy the mind 

That is with grief oppress'd. 

Because they profit not the soul, 

Nor peace of mind secure 5 
Disease may rob of comforts which 

No riches can procure. 

*Eccl, yi. 2. fEccl. vi. 7. JEecl. v, 10, $Fro. zxii. 1. 



102 the world's riches. 

The body's smallest member if 

By any means is pain'd, 
Will every comfort wealth bestows 

Immediately suspend. 

The property I here possess, 
My riches and my gains, 

Can not the stroke of death avert, 
Or mitigate its pains. 

When we grasp at those trifling gains, 
They oft our peace oppose, 

For the abundance of the rich 
Deprives him of repose. * 

Security and ignorance 

Some grains of joy may glean, 

And more than double mixture have 
Of bitterness between. 

Wealth's like a shadow passing by 
By long experience found ; 

Its honours smoke, its fame a blast, 
Its pleasures like a sound. 

Our riches is corrupt, besides f 
They're put in bags with holes ; f 

Our garments from destroying moths, 
No vigilcnce controls. 

*Eccl. v. 12. f James v. 2. J Hagg i. 6. 



the world's riches. 103 

They like the mule of Absalom, 

Leaves in extremity ; 
They vexing and deceiving are 

When needed they give way. * 

Should I take up my rest where such 

Uncertainties prevail, 
And dream of joys perpetual where 

My schemes so often fail. 

As comets threaten as they shine, 

And their effects we fear, 
So when the world smiles we may 

Suspect some danger near. 

Our gain and riches here wc may 
With Pharaoh's host compare, 

Who forward march'd, but in an hour 
Lay dead upon the shore, -J- 

Like fools we leave our wealth behind, 

It will not carry hence, \ 
To pave the way to heaven above, 

Nor bribe omnipotence. 

Have not the wisest men been those 

Who least on it depend ; 
And those who put their trust in God, 

Will prosper in the end. 

•2 Sam. xt. 9, fExod. xiv. 28, 30, JPsal. xlix. 17. 



104 the world's riches. 

Go to and weigh the matter well, * 

And be assur'd of this, 
Your gold and silver canker'd is, 

Their rust your witnesses. 

Your heaped treasures soon will fail, 
Your fraud will judgment feel, 

Your wanton pleasures nourished will 
Your retribution seal. •{- 

If all your consolation be 

In which ye here enjoy, 
What heavy woes has Christ denounced 

Shall afterwards annoy, f 

Your silver and your gold will not 

Your spir'tual wants supply ; 
Nor will your wealth for ever standi 

Your riches will decay. § 

Though with an eager greediness 

Ye swallow worldly gain, || 
If once Jehovah's wrath go forth 

Ye vomit them again, ^f 

Altho' ye sow the precious wheat, 

Your vantage will be vain ; 
Your profit will be thorns though 

Ye put yourselves to pain. ** 

* James v. 7. f James v. 3, 4. J Luke vi, 24. {Prov. xxvii„24. 
!! Job xx 15. U 2 Chron. xix. 2. •• Jer. xii. 13. 



the world's riches. 105 

The humble hung'ring soul for good 

Will find a large supply, 
But yet the great inspector sends 

The rich empty away. * 

Your riches in the day of wrath 

No profit can they yield ; -j- 
The smitten conscience cannot heal, 

Nor from its terror shield. 

Altho* your riches may increase, 

Set not your heart on them J 
Nor trust in wealth, nor boast yourselves 

In perishable gain. § 

Though money answers all commerce, || 

A brother can't redeem ; ^ 
Nor yet the existence of the soul 

Can gold or gain maintain. 

Our value stands according as 

We're rich to heaven above ; 
The riches which we here possess 

Will not our value prove. 

For some there are that maketh rich, 

And yet are very poor ; 
And some are poor, and yet great store 

They to themselves secure. ** 

Luke i. 53. f Pror. xi. 4. + Psalm lxii. 10. § Psalm xliii. 6. 
U Eccl. x. 19. K Psalm xlix. 6. *• Prov. xiii. 7. 



106 the world's riches. 

For royaly the rich to live, 

Does honour an estate ; 
But if I'm happy upon little, 

I'll vie with rich and great. 

In houses of the righteous, 
Is treasures rich and new ; 

But sorrows, broils, and troubles mix 
The wicked's revenue. * 

But can I 'numerate half the ills 

That on the rich attend, 
For oft their pleasures is impair'd 

By troubles of the mind. 

Wealth often swells the mind with pride 

And restless discontent ; 
When once ambition's reins is loos'd, 

To many ills it's bent. 

Our wrong opinions of the rich 

May regulated be, 
Though in the world's meridian of 

Sunshine prosperity. 

The lion of unbridl'd lust 

Doth worldly grandeur stain, 

If once unruly passions be 
Let loose with all their train. 

* Frov. xiv. 6. 



the world's riches. 107 

With all th' envenom'd swarms of 
Their poison'd thoughts within, 

That crawl on all the powers of mind 
And substitute to sin. 

The habitation of the great, 

Envy sometimes surround ; 
And oft unruly families 

Within their walls are found. 

Their inward secret thoughts, if we 

Their workings could disclose, 
We would see no such happiness 

With them as we suppose. 

Expos'd to tempests is the man, 

Who high in station stand ; 
Hated, reproached, and undermined, 

Envy'd on every hand. 

Their temper peevish, pensive thoughts, 

Cause much inward disquiet ; 
Insatiable appetites 

Their constitution break. 

Their company and jollity 

Their happiness oppose ; 
Their cares and disappointments hurt 

The soundness of repose. 

*Ecel. v. 12, 



* 



108 the world's riches. 

They place their aims to large extent, 

And so exceed their bound, 
And mortify'd to see them like 

The arrows far beyond, * 

Earth's riches may be well defined 

As instabilities, 
Because their season pass away, 

They're call'd uncertainties, -j- 

But greatness oft to goodness adds 

Its lustre and its style, 
When in an Israelite its found 

In whom there is no guile, f 

No greatness, wealth, nor power could Boaz's 

Benevolence repel, § 
Nor yet his benediction stent, 

Which on his reapers fell. || 

Tho' David was ta'en from the field, 

To honours highest verge ; 
Illustrious for his public good, ^[ 

Likewise domestic charge. ** 

When great men prove philanthropists, 
And wealth for good is given, 

And when they study public good, 
It makes this earth a heaven. 

*1 Sam. xx. 22. flTim.vi.17. J John i. 47. $ Ruth ii. 8, 9. 
H Ruth ii. 4. U 2 Sam. vi. 18. ** 2 Sam. vi. 20. 



the world's riches. 109 

We are but stewards of all we have, 

In this our low abode ; 
But heav'n and glory's share if we 

Are hid with Christ and God. * 

In every thing we'll be enrich'd, -f* 

The promise stands secure ; 
The Saviour counsels gold to buy 

His treasures ever sure. J 

When Christ continues thus to give 

Good counsel for our gain, 
The case is not a desperate case 

For rich ungodly men. 

Riches in nature's not a curse, 
Though misuse makes them such ; 

The father of the faithful who 
Himself was veiy rich. § 

Then let us not in self-conceit, 

And in abundance vaunt, 
And think that we do nothing need, 

When we're in perfect want. || 

Besides a beggar, we're in debt, 

In bankrupt prison lie ; 
We're brought from nothing's barren womb, 

And nothing have to pay. 

* Col. iii. 3. flCor. i. 5. JRev.iii. 8. § Gen. xiii, 2. 
IJRev.iii.17. 



110 THE WORLD'S RICHES. 

If in our indigence we would 

Seek for there is supply. 
Where there is largest stock laid up 

For bankrupts such as as I. 

Then let our dung and diamonds drop, 
And all our dross and gold ; 

And let us not remain secure, 
And neither hot nor cold. * 

In this important case there is 

No neutrality, 
For Christ and Mammon cannot join, f 

Nor God and Baal agree. J 

With strict regard to heav'n may I 
Ascertain what's my share, 

And pass the glittering toys of earth 
With an indifferent care. 

Indulging no anxious wish, 

Nor any vain desire ; 
Nor no inordinate concern, 

Nor eagerly aspire 

To lavish out my talents to 

Such an uncertain state, 
Or yet combine with what may my 

Anguish accumulate. 

* Rev. iii. 16. f Matt. vi. 24. J 1 Kings xviii. 21. 



THE WORLD'S RICHES. Ill 

And rivet to our hearts with such 

A firm unbending power 
As will give pain to seperate in 

The agonizing hour. 

What risk we run when wealth increase, 
From friends and wicked men ; 

How few behave as christians 
Amidst the world's gain. 

Earth's riches are indifferent things. 

They're good or bad as used ; 
Let me indifferent be to them 

That they be not abus'd. 

Though I may put a price on them, 

They cannot value me, 
Nor be accountable to God, 

Yet I for them must be. 

They promise much and yet they pay 

With sorrows multiply'd ; 
If I make idols of them then 

They with a curse are dy'd. 

If on our wealth our heart is set, 

Our consolation's doom'd ; 
Our pleasure only in this life, 

And none beyond is found. 



112 THE WORLD'S RICHES. 

Woe be to those who make their wealth 

And riches all their care, 
The heavy woes denounc'd on them 

The Saviour does not spare. * 

Earth's consolations is but short, 
Which from its wealth proceed ; 

Unpleasant when such woes denounc'd, 
As afterwards succeed. 

But when the expanding eye beholds 

Th' inheritance so broad, 
And the extent of glory and 

The riches found in God. -J* 

When from forlorn banishment 

And Ziklag's ashes ta'en \ 
Hebron of our peace and joy, 

Disgifts th' afflictive scene. § 

And gives a test of higher views 

Of glory's richest store || 
And wisdom's treasures which will last 

To endless evermore. *[[ 

Then let us dive into the depth ** 

Of riches that excel, -J--J- 
And have ensur'd the true riches J J 
That endless life entail. 
*Lukevi.24. fEccLi. 18. JlSam.jxxx. 3,4. {2Sam.ii. 3,4. 
|| Col. i. 27. H Col. ii. 3. ** Rom. xi. 33. ft Eph. ii. 7. 
J J Luke xvi. 11. 



THE WORLD'S PLEASURES, 
PART VI.— Letter F. 



What earthly pleasures have I got, 
And found them worth my care ; 

How vain to place my best esteem 
On trifles light as air. 

The pleasures that the world gives 
Are so much mixt with pain ; 

The mammon of unrighteousness 
Does all our comforts stain. 

The way that seemeth right to us 
Death in the end will bring ; * 

If the forbidden hedge we break, 
The poison'd snake will sting, f 

Both reason and experience teach, 
And we're assur'd of this, 

The truest pleasure's freest got, 
And cloth'd in purest dress. 

* Pro. xiv. 12. t Eccl, x. S. 

I 



114 THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 

When mammon and religion's join'd ? 

And in our sight appear, 
We readily conclude that now 

The Lord's anointed r s here, * 

But when one after God's own heart 

Presents himself to me, 
The still small voice is usher'd in, 

Anoint him, this is he. -j- 

When Eliab presented is, 

Our carnal views approves, 
Tho' God himself declares that this 

Is not the one he loves. f 

The things that please the carnal sense 

And fancy gratify, 
Our appetites will grasp at what 

Will never satisfy. § 

The dying pleasures that we court, 

Our passions all enslave, 
And tears and groans and griefs and fears 

Attend us to the grave. 

Our Naomi of pleasantness 
With pleasures full may bend, 

But soon to Mara may be turn'd, 
And bitter in the end. || 

*1 Sam. xvi.6. j ISam.xvi. 12. J 1 Sam. xvi. 7. 
$Hosc. iv. 10. H liuth i. 20. 



THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 115 

Our earthly joys are often mix'd 

With many a vexing care, 
That in the sweet the bitter too 

A portion we may share. 

Do not consult with flesh and blood 

To lend your working hand, 
No other counsellor's requir'd 

When God gives the command. 

In choosing pleasures, fix your mind 

On something worth your care, 
For be assur'd that what ye sow 

The fruits will be your share, * 

Make not an Esau's bargain, norf 

Your privilege despise, 
For what the righteous Judge confirms 

His justice rectifies. 

No soul-subsisting pleasure springs 

From sensualities, 
Because they glut and surfeit first, 

And then they paralyse. 

They cloy first, they weary next, 

They then consume and waste ; 
Besides the lawless mind is oft 

Ashamed of the past. 

♦ICor.ix. 6. fHeb.xii. 1G. 
i2 



11G THE WORLD'S PLEASURES, 

We spend our time for nothing worth 

That cannot us satisfy, * 
And put our wages into bags 

With holes that soon give way. -J- 

The healthful nourishment delights, 

Whose serviceable use 
Kefreshes, comforts, and supports, 

And thankful joys produce. 

Our flocks and herds to multiply, 
With pleasure we may see, 

And this may be the very cause 
Our herdsmen disagree. \ 

My thwarted plans and baffl'd schemes^ 

Is by indulgent care, 
To shun th* intoxicating draught, 

And purer pleasures share- 

The cup of earthly pleasures oft 
Have from my lips been dash'd, 

Ere I could relish its contents 
It suddenly has pass'd. 

Earth, thy honey drops are few, 
While sorrows intervene ; 

Thy draughts of pleasures turn to drops, 
With bitterness between. 

• Isa. lv. 2. f Hagg. i. C. J Gen. xiii. 8. 



THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 117 

The gnawing worm at the root 

Of every earthly thing. 
That no duration's in them, nor 

Can satisfaction bring. 

No real content could be by Lot 

On Sodom's plains deriv'd, 
When by the base inhabitants 

His righteous soul was griev'd. * 

The pleasures that I should desire 

In true contentment lies, 
If I be satisfy'd in God, 

My pleasure never dies. 

For God's a portion that will last, 

And never be impair'd ; 
When all the ills of life are pass'd, 

He'll be our rich reward. -{- 

In passing over, he'll preserve, 

Defending help afford ; \ 
When we are termed Hephzibah, 

The pleasure of the Lord. § 

He can bring water from the rock, 

To follow all the way ; || 
He from the eater sends me meat, 

The strong doth sweet supply, ^j 

*iPet. ii. 8. t Gen. xv. 1. Jlsa. xxxi. 5, 
$ Isa, lxii. 4, || Tsal. cxiv. 8. U Jud. xiv. 9. 



118 THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 

Praise to the unbeginning love 
Which makes these gifts combine ? 

And through his undiminish'd love 
Has made these favours mine. 

However worldly men may jest, 
And mockers may despise ; 

Yet Christ will draw the curtain by, 
And show his sympathies. 

To reconcile privations here, 
And deep afflictions smart, 

And show the kind solicitude 
Which Jesus can impart. 

And arm against the dangerous rock 
On which so many break ; 

Of plenty, pleasures, sensual joys, 
Which luxuries partake. 

Those will be miserable in 

Height of prosperity, 
And all their pomp and grandeur hid 

In dark obscurity. 

Your cherish'd pleasures he will stint, 
Instead of ease, give pain ; * 

Your sweets I'll turn to bitterness, 
Your comeliness I'll stain. -{- 

°Amos vi. 1, 14. fAmofj viii. S, 9. 10. 



THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 119 

Your food I'll turn to wormwood, 

Poison deliciousness ; 
Water of gall I'll give to drink, 

A noxious bitterness. * 

Your habitation I'll lay waste, 

A den of dragons too ; 
I'll lay your palaces in heaps 

A desolation now. -J- 

Your heads I'll bell, your beards I'll cut, 
And make your pleasures fade ; J 

In laughter and in merriment 
I'll likewise make you sad. § 

Altho' ye think ye're settl'd fast, 

And pleasures soft secur'd, 
I'll blast your evanescent hopes, 

They'll prove like Jonah's gourd. || 

Your very tongues within your mouth, 

Consumption will assail ; ^ 
111 make your flesh consume away, 

Your eyes their vision fail. 

If I but blow upon you once, 

Your pleasures soon will die ; 
They'll wither, and the whirlwind 

Will drive them all away. ** 

*Jer, ix. 15. fJer. ix. 11. Jlsa. xr. 2. $ Prov. xiv. 13. 
J! Jona. iv. 7- U Zech. xiv. 12, **Isa. xl, 11. 



120 the world's pleasures. 

If God to judgment shall arise, 

What pleasure will ye find, 
When like the withered stubble he * 

Will fan you to the wind. -J* 

Your prophets shall become a wind, \ 

My word in them a fire, 
And ye yourselves shall be as wood 

Which quickly will devour. § 

A certain fact oft disbelieved, 

But truth itself will tell ; 
If faithfully we serve the Lord, 

Our pleasures never fail. 

In heaven's patent way we find, 

Substantial pleasures is, || 
For wisdom's ways are pleasantness, 

And all her paths are peace, ^j 

The pleasures of a special love 

For Jacob is entail'd ; 
Tho' common blessings is their lot ** 

Who their birthright have sold, if 

Those who to pleasures are a slave, 

And trust in wickedness, }f 
The righteous threatening on them falls 

With awful suddenness. §§ 

°Isa.xl.24. | Isa. xli. 16. JJer.v. 13. $ Jer. v. 14. 
HJobxxxvi.il. U Prow iii. 17- **Gcn. xxvii. 28. 

ttGcn.xxvii. 16. \\ Isa, xlvii. 10. }{Isa. xlvii. 11. 



THE WORLD'S PLEASURES. 121 

To live in pleasures wantonly, 

Is surely very odd, 
That those who heaven's bounty share 

Should love them more than God. * 

It's just that he delusion send 

And stay restraining grace 
From those who thus a pleasure take 

In their unrighteousness. -J- 

The pleasures that are hatch'd on earth 
And spring from banks of time, 

They're evanescent, short, and soon 
A gloom will dim their shine. 

When Moses tried the world's wight, 
And courtly pleasure's blaze, \ 

He found them all to be too light 
To weigh with wisdom's ways. 

As one of Abraham's seed his faith 

Look'd to the recompense ; 
Made that his landmark, and despis'd 

Pleasures of sin and sense. § 

Those who the ascendency have gain'd 

Of life's incessant cares, 
And from deceitful riches that 

Entangles and ensnares. 

°2Tim.iii. 3, f2Thess.ii, 12, jHeb, xi. 21. (Hcb.xi.25, 



122 the world's pleasures. 

If carnal pleasures we indulge, 

They give us no reprieve ; 
Our comely visage they will mar, 

And bury us alive e * 

We find earth's pleasures dangerous, 

And they're mischievous ; 
For ease and indolence indulg'd 

Proves to be ruinous. -J- 

We life and pleasure cannot have, 

Whatever course we drive, 
For he who gives his pleasures vent 

Is dead when he's alive, f 

These two on earth can never have 

A close combin'd accord ; 
Our surest pleasure's centr'd in 

Rejoicing in the Lord. § 

When Jacob's head lay hardest, had 

Of heavenly joys his share ; 
Without a tentj a couch, or screen, 

His pleasures then were rare. || 

Short-liv'd our views of heavenly things, 

They scarcely do appear ; 
Nor are we even allow'd that we 

Should tabernacles rear, ^f 

*lTim. r. f> fLukeviiiM [1 Tim. v. 6. $ Hiil. iv. 4. 
II Gen. xxviii. 16. UHeb.ix. 11. 



the world's pleasures. 123 

We scarce the smiles of pleasure touch 

Until we feel them fly ; 
We scarce the visit welcome when 

We feel the vision die. 

If wish'd desires might be enough 

To gain earth's happiness, 
Few men would e'er be miserable, 

Or want sufficient bliss. 

Bless me, even me, my father, was 

Esau's despairing voice ; * 
Some wish the death, but not the life, 

Of those that's righteous, -j- 

If we substantial pleasures sell 

For perishable gain, 
Not strange altho' we need to beg 

With tears because profane, \ 

When Solomon forsook his God, 

And fancied pleasures sought, 
His carnal sense to gratify, 

He found that all was nought. 

And like the prodigal, he saw 

His pursuits all were bad, — 
Returns to his God and saith 

Of pleasure it is mad. § 

Gen. xxvii, 31. f Num. xxiii, 10. J Ileb. xii. 16. 
JEccl.ii.2. 



124 the world's pleasures. 

Our pleasures here may be compar'd 

To melting hills of snow ; 
While as a constant passing stream 

Succeeding troubles flow. 

We and our pleasures vanish soon, 

Together both will die, 
If death once stretch his iron hand 

And draw the curtain by. * 

If he shall show his aspect grim, 

Or his cold hand we feel, 
Our world's pleasures die away, 

We bid them all farewell. 

Then let us all our pleasures stint, 
And not give them loose reins ; 

Nor run the awful risk to lose 
Unmiserable gains. -j- 

Then tho' I tread the thorny path, 

Let me not go astray 
When full enjoyment is plac'd 

Beyond the narrow way. 

I merit nothing of myself 

To walk the heavenly road, 
Yet faith gives evidence through Christ \ 

That I'm an heir of God. § 

•Isa.xxii 13. 1 LOoi ii 27. J Rom. v. 1. $Gal.iv.7. 



the world's pleasures. 125 

If I his livery once put on, 

And his commands embrace, 
He'll be my portion, and in him 

Unending pleasure is. * 

Though Satan stand on my right hand, 

Me fiercely to accuse, -J- 
He'll take my filthy robes away, 

And will rebuke my foes. 

He'll make the crooked places straight, 

Obstructions he'll restrain ; \ 
The rough ways he will likewise smooth^ 

And make the mountains plain. § 

He'll bind our souls securely up 

In life's unshackl'd string ; 
But thrust our enemies as from 

The middle of a sling. || 

He'll set a hedge about us that ^[ 

Will make the foe retire ; 
The mountains he will plant around 

With chariots of fire. ** 

To love my God, improve myself, 

Is what he doth require, 
And these are things I may obtain, 

And worthy of my care. 

* Psal. xvi. 11. f Zech. iii. 1. J Luke iii. 5. $ Zech. iv. 7. 
|| 1 Sam. xxv. 29. f Job i. 10. ** 2Kings vi. 17. 



126 the world's pleasures. 

I'm not a fool if I myself 
And God do seek to know ; 

My greatest victory is myself 
And sin to overthrow. 

Thus should my life be cultivate 
In each succeeding stage, 

And fill the book of providence 
In each succeeding page, 

Araby boasts of cinnamon, 
And spices that it treats ; 

But riches more abundant in 
En-gedi's balmy sweets 



* 



Then let me by improvement make 
The best of what I have, 

And not for want of stomach lose 
The dainties God will give. 

No longer have we to enquire 
The way to heavenly bliss ; 

Or who will teach us when we see 
A path that beaten is. 

Or who will roll away the stone, 
Or flaming sword remove ; 

Or open th' everlasting doors 
That leads to heaven above. 

• Song i. 14 



the world's pleasures. 127 

For Jesus hath all these remov'd, 

And made an end of sin ; 
For the unblemished sacrifice 

Was offered up by him. 

Lord give the gift of faith to look 

Beyond the things of sense, 
And fix on pleasures that's deriv'd 

From Jesus' righteousness. * 

And being complete in Jesus Christ, -}• 
The rock on which we stand, J 

We're kept and call'd to share with him § 
The joys at God's right hand. || 

<»Phil. iii. 8, 9. f Col. ii. 10. + Psalm lxii. 7. { 1 Pet. iv. 19. 
|| 1 Pet. v. 10. Rev. iii. 21. 



THE WORLD'S VANITIES. 
PART VII.— Letter G. 



Christian strive to steer your course 
Towards the world unseen ; 

Secure your highest interest where 
Corruption cannot stain. * 

The things we see are fading things. 

They cannot long endure ; 
But things we hope for, tho' unseen, 

Are permanent and sure. -J- 

The world should my servant be, 

Should I be like Shimei, 
Vainly to follow after it, 

And throw my life away. f 

Altho' I follow, it will fly, 

And leave behind a stain ; 
The verdict pass'd on earthly things 

Is this, that all is vain. § 

o Luke xii. 33. f 2 Cor. iv. 18. J I Kings ii. 42. 

$ Eccl. xii. 8. 



the world's vanities. 129 

The aggravation here express'd, 

Emphatically implies, 
That it's not only vain, but is 

The vainest vanities. * 

What better are we for the things 

The world can secure, 
When all we can possess in it 

Will vanity insure, -j- 

The comforts which we fondly seek, 

Does but vexation breed ; 
Our expectations are so large, 

Does the event exceed. \ 

No steadfastness is found to be 

In any earthly thing ; 
From learning pleasure's business 

Much disappointment spring. § 

The world's wisdoms, honours, powers, 

Vexatious are, and vain ; 
Unprofitable, hurtful, and 

They often leave a stain. || 

And commonly both good and bad 

Have outwardly their share ; 
Calamities oft come on both 

Before they are aware, ^f 

•Eccl.i.2. fEccl.vi. 12. JProv. x.28. jEecl.v.2. 
IIEccl.v.. 1TEccl.ix.il, 12. 



130 the world's vanities. 

Besides, heaven often blasts our hopes * 
And makes our prospects vain, 

To show that we should use the means, 
But never trust to them. 

And farther, men have found their bane 
Where they have sought their bliss ; 

And meet the greatest troubles in 
Expected happiness. -J- 

The world's profits, pleasures, tastes, 

Honours, enjoyments, 
Preferments, arts, and science, and 

All its employments, — J 

Not only in abuse, but in 

The use of worldly gain ; 
And if there was no other life, 

Then man was made in vain. § 

To follow after worldly things, 

How foolish and unwise ; 
This is a sowing vanity, 

And all we reap is lies. || 

Our bliss on earth is all romance, 

It passeth like a dream, 
For lasting pleasures only flow 

In a celestial stream.^ 

♦Jobviii. 18.14. t Josh. vii. 25. JEccl.v. 16 

$ Psal. Ixxxix. 49, || Uos. x. 13. f Psal. xvi. 11. 



THE WORLD'S VANITIES. 131 

If satisfaction we expect, 

Or comfort seek to gain 
From earth, we're sure, abstract from God, 

That all in it is vain. * 

Who loves it least, does find it most 

To give felicity ; 
And those whose hearts it fills will find 

It's wholly vanity. -J- 

Our very sacred services, 

If vain religion be, 
It's insult and affront on God, 

And worse than vanity. J 

Forbidden pleasures please the sense, 

But lead the mind astray ; 
And what distinction has our dust, 

When in the grave we lie ? § 

Man's dust has no preeminence 

Above the beasts that die ; || 
The reptiles share them both alike, — 

Man's wholly vanity. 

Life's labours is vexation, 

And stamp'd with vanity ; 
By every work that's good we're rais'd 

As marks of fierce envy, ^f 

* Eccl. vi. 11. f Pro. xi. 28. + 1 Sam. ii. 29. § Psal. xlix. 10. 
||Eccl.iii. 19. f EccUv.4. 

K2 



132 the world's vanities. 

There still are Cains in the earthy 
Who will maintain the strife ; 

And Esau will content himself, 
If he had Jacob's life. * 

Though David's goodness may be great,. 

And estimation high, - 
The more he's set a mark for Saul, 

His hatred and envy, -f- 

But if earth's fulness we possess, 

While life we occupy, 
And all its pleasures were combin'd 

Our minds to gratify. 

Could it a lasting bliss or yet 

Felicity procure ? 
No, in the last its pleasures all 

We find but short and sour. £ 

Esek — contention soon appears, 

And Sitnah follows soon ; 
Hatred and strife before we find, 

Rehoboth to make room. § 

Whose verdict's this, we next would ask 7 
Who dooms all things as vain ? 

The preacher, one inspir'd by God, || 
And th' wisest of men. ^f 

*Gen.xxvii 42. flSam.xviii.8. J Jobxx.5, 6, 7. 
t Gen. xxvi. 21,22, 33. ||Eccl.i. 1G. II 1 Kings Ui. 12. 



the world's vanities. 133 

No hermit from a social life, 

And from its joys shut out ; 
Nor beggar who had not, but one 

Who knew without dispute. 

Who from his study he adjourn'd 

To new philosophy, 
And from his counsel chamber steps 

To seek felicity. 

Exchanges court and company, 

And senators of wit ; 
And stoops a great step downward from 

The noble intellect. * 

Expressing deep conviction and 

A sense of certainty, 
Th' exaggerated cogent truth 

That all is vanity. -J- 

His expectations all come short, 

The mind to satisfy ; 
Employments, enjoyments, 

And all was vanity. J 

Its toils are great, its gains are small, 

And in contrivance, care ; § 
In prosecution, troubles meet, 

And disappointments share. || 

•Eccl.ii.l. fEccI.ii.17. JEccl.ii.10,11. {Eccl.i.13. 
IIEccl. ii. 20. 



134 THE WORLD'S VANITIES. 

And wisdom too, is far from men, 

Without dispute is found, 
For in their very heart we find 

That folly fast is bound. * 

Heaven's register has stamped the seal 
Which firm conviction brings, 

That nothing less than vanity 
Is in all earthly things, -j- 

But is no limitation set 

To smooth the sentence small, 

What is denounc'd as vanity 
The preacher says, it's all. J 

But lest we tread forbidden ground, 
We would advance with fear, 

For we're assur'd one greater far 
Than Solomon is here. § 

We pause to state the solemn fact, 
Lest we the truth should stain, 

For what perfection has made good, 
We dare not call it vain. 

But for preventing all mistakes 

And flagrant errors stain, 
And obviate wrong turns of thought, 

And golden truth maintain. 

* Prov. xxii. 15. fEccl.i.H. JEccl.ii. 11. {Matt.xii. 42. 



the world's vanities. 135 

It's not the simple coinage of 

Imagination, 
But statements from th' eternal truth 

Of the uncreated One. 

We would not glance at words alone, 
Which oft their meaning chokes, 

But from the lines of light and truth 
Unvail the paradox. 

What do we in the Creator see, 

If to his works we turn, 
But form distinct to matter given, 

And glory to the form. * 

And when the new creation rose 

In its fair garment stood, 
The God in whom perfection dwells 

Pronounc'd it very good. -J- 

If we our actions would survey, 

We much defect would feel ; 
But when the Creator view'd his work, 

He found that all was well, f 

We may admire the working hand, 

In all that we behold, 
But we the actions cannot trace, 

Nor mystery unfold. 

*Gen.i.lO. tGen.i. 31. JGen.i. 12. 



136 the world's vanities. 

Our wisdom's folly on this head 

To count the high amount ; 
Our most accute intelligence, 

The number will surmount. * 

In matter, order, time, and form, 
Could all been done with ease ; 

Dare we at consumation grasp, 
When God works by degrees. 

May we not then deliberate, 

And not fond fancy stake, 
When God not out of need in all 

His works did leisure take. -J- 

What rich production earth does yield, — 

What vast variety ; 
What fruit and flowers, of herbs and trees, 

And seed from every tree. 

Nor do we overstate, when we 

Thy wonders multiply, 
From high seraphic hosts unto 

Insect variety. 

No flaw, defect, nor aught was wrong, 
When the new creation stood, 

For He who can do nothing wrong 
Pronounc'd it very good. 

• Fsalmlxxi, 15. 1 Gen. i. 31. 



the world's vanities. 137 

For firmament his chambers stor'd 

Earth's fields to fertilize ; * 
Infinite wisdom is display'd 

In planning schemes so wise. 

Thou canst make light without a sun, 

And time without a day ; 
Thy light when time and sun shall cease, 

Is an eternal ray. 

To one great head and centre thou 

Delightest to combine ; 
To union and reduction thou 

Didst stretch the measuring line. 

The light which out of darkness dawn'd, 

To one sun roll'd must be ; 
The waters too, at God's command, 

Is gather'd to the sea. -J- 

Strange that we can abide our thoughts, 

Scatter'd away from thee, 
In which no imperfection is, 

Nor change can ever be. 

Here day dies gradual into night, 
And charming morning springs, 

To teach us that stability 
Is not in earthly things, 

* Gen. i. 6. f Psalm civ. 0. 



138 the world's vanities. 

But perfecter when we upon 

Perfection's stair go up, 
Advancing in our thoughts we climb, 

And reach at glory's top. 

The lustre of the richest gems 
That dazzle human view, 

With their transparent beauty and 
Their ornamental hue. 

Exquisiteness of figures and 

The harmony of sound, 
The liveliness of colours in 

Variety abound. 

With all the brightest heroic minds 

With highest intellect, 
With all their virtuous purity 

Which quickness can effect, 

Are all but emanations from 

The one eternal God ; 
Their orders, forms, and use are giv'n 

To point the heavenly road. 

But how does my unstable heart 
Cleave to an empty show, 

And following worldly vanities 
Lets heaven and glory go. 



the world's vanities. 139 

Begone bewitching vanities, 

No more my thoughts control, 
My highest import is the worth 

Of my immortal soul. 

Then fix upon a gracious state 

In calm serenity, — 
A powerful mean to keep the mind 

Above earth's vanity. 

Fetch solid thoughts from distant shores 

Of long eternity, 
To fructify our hearts and show 

The world's vanity. 

Seek not in wisdom to excel 

Above what is reveal'd, 
The wisest man's experience 

Has found that this has fail'd. * 

Seek for the riches durable, -J- 

That gain a high repute ; 
The riches which fine gold exceeds, 

Is wisdom's pleasant fruit. 

The reputation wisdom gives, 

And honour it supplies, 
Time will not tarnish its esteem, 

Its glory never dies. 

*Eccl. i. 17, 18. *Prov. viii. 18. 



140 THE WORLD'S VANITIES. 

It gains a reputation to 

All who its paths pursue ; 
No gold nor silver will compare 

With wisdom's revenue. * 

The world's wisdom's foolishness, -j- 

At best it hears a stain ; 
The wise the Lord their thoughts does scan, \ 

And knows they are but vain. 

Shall mortal man be just with God, 

Or with his maker pure, 
Comparison with puny man, 

Presumption would ensure. § 

With folly the angelic hosts 

Are charg'd, tho' high in trust ; 

How much more fading clay of whose 
Foundation's in the dust. || 

We're but as yesterday, and as^f 

A shadow passing by ; 
Our days on earth are limited, 

Our months are vanity. 

They like a weaver's shuttle that 

In speed does swiftly fly, ** 
According to earth's narrow bounds 

Unthought of pass away. 

* Pro. viii. 19. 1 1 Cor. iii. 13, 20. J Psal. xciv. 11. 

f Job iv. 10. || Job iv. 18, 19. U Job viii. 9. ** Job vii. 6. 



THE WORLD'S VANITIES. Ml 

We often weave the spider's web, * 

Its uselessness is known ; 
Yet we shall wear as we have wove, 

And reap as we have sown, -j- 

You who are vainly wearied 

In your iniquity, J 
Trust not in vanity, for it 

Your recompence shall be. § 

who can with omnipotence 

A combat safely try, 
He breaketh down and shuteth up, |f 

O'erthroweth despotic sway. 

He spoileth mighty conquerors, ^f 
And girds the loins of kings ; ** 

He overthrows the mighty and -J-j- 
Contempt on princes brings. Jf 

The haughty princes he will tame, 

For all their mighty sway ; 
And make the judges of the earth 

As very vanity. §§ 

Their stock shall not take fixed root, 

For long they can not stay ; 
For sudden, like the whirlwind, 

They may be driven away. [||| 

° Job viii. 14. f Gal. vi. 7. J Jer. ix. v. § Job xv. 31. 

H Job xii. 14. "IT Job xii. 17. •<> Job xii. 18. ft Job xii. 19. 

J+Jobxii. 21. «§Isa.xl. 23. ||U Isa. xl. 24. 



142 the world's vanities. 

They hatch mischief and travel in 

Their base iniquity ; 
Their fraud and falsehood they bring forth, 

Though mercies multiply* * 

I'll turn their glory into shame, 

Their honour I will stain ; 
I'll make their dwellings cast them out -J- 

As fruitless, useless, vain. 

Their flattery proves them insincere, 

Unstable in their ways ; 
Not steadfast in his covenant, — J 

They trust in vanities. § 

Mean men deceive and give the cheat, 

And great men are a lie ; 
And Tekel may be wrote on all, 

Lighter than vanity. || 

Be barr'd my heart from every thing 

That leaves behind a stain ; 
From all enchanting vanities 

My very thoughts are vain, ^f 

All flesh is grass and soon will fade, 

And yield unto decay ; 
Like fading flowers and withering herbs, 

Yet heaven's record will stay. ** 

o Psal. vii. 14. t Jer. ix. 19. + Psal. lxzviii. 37. $ Isa. lix 4. 
II Psal. lxii. 9. H Psal. xciv. 11. cc Isa. xl. 6. 



the world's vanities. 143 

For light and truth has now sprung up 

And spreads its genial rays, 
And darts upon th' upright in heart 

And vails their vanities. * 

May grace disclose the other side, 

And show a brighter die ; 
May we beyond the preacher look, 

And all his vanity. 

It is no vain delusive work, 

Rejoice ye righteous ; -j- 
Express your gratitude unto 

The Lord in holiness. \ 

The heavens pours its blessings down 

In drops of dew and rain ; 
Earth's fertile bosom testifies 

It was not made in vain. 

All nature joins you in the song — 
The heaven, and earth, and sea ; § 

The fields, and trees, and all combine, || 
To join the melody, ^f 

The stones would cry, if ye be still, ** 

The hills will joyful be ; 
The very floods will clap their hands, -J-j- 

And shame your lethargy. 

*Psal. xcvii. 11. fPsal. xcvii. 12. JPzal. xcvi. 9. 

§ Psal. xcvii. 6. || Psal. xcvi. 12. IT Psal. xcviii. 7, 8. 

00 Luke xix. 40. ft Psal. xcviii. 8. 



144 the world's vanities. 

Glance but at Nature's spacious field, 
And strike your wondering eyes, — 

The beauty, glory, treasures rich, 
Is sure no vanities. 



THE WORLD'S PERILS. 
PART VIII.— Letter H. 



When first the divine law was broke, 

The dread alarm was sound, 
An opening in the sacred hedge 

Spread terror all around. * 

The sound that issued from the breach, 

Said, surely thou must die ; 
This touch'd the conscience, and the man 

Made as if he could fly, j 

But did not know how weak he was, 
Nor that his strength was faiFd ; 

Nor knew the burden which he had 
Upon himself entail'd. J 

For nothing has he left him now, 

He's lost a noble prize ; 
And those who were his friends before, 

Are now his enemies. § 

•Geniii. 8. tGren.iii. 10. + Rom. v. 12. § Deut. xxxii. 24. 



146 the world's perils. 

Without a guide, a robe, or screen^ 

He knew not what to do ; 
Divine compassion follows soon, — 

Said, Adam, where art thou ? * 

He did not know how shelterless 

And destitute he was ; 
Nor yet how shiftless, till he heard 

The conscience startleing voice. 

Nor did he know that he was stript 

Of ornaments and robe, 
And like a houseless fugitive, -J* 

Driven to the lands of Nod. J 

The flaming sword could not defend 

Sin's overflowing flood, 
From sweeping o'er the beauteous spot 

Where Eden's garden stood. 

Sin's act is not more pleasant as 

Its issues horrible ; 
The murderer's life becomes to him 

A weight intolerable. § 

The cause that drove from Paradise, 

And old Adam exil'd, || 
Has driven Paradise from earth, 

And all its pleasures spoil'd. ^[ 

°Oen. iii. ( ~>. fGen. iv. U. J Gen. iv. 1G. § Gen. iv. 13. 
It Gen. iii. 24. 11 Gen. iii. 17. 



the world's perils. 147 

Though Paradise for man was rear'd, 

Yet see the serpent there, * 
And to intrude our tables, beds, 

And closets, does not spare. 

To move distrust, envy, and pride, 

And discontentedness, 
A serpent true t' insinuate 

In his plausibleness. 

And if so cunning at the first, 
What shall we think him still, 

After so many thousand years 
Practising artful skill. -j- 

Where'er our flattering passions rove, 

We find a lurking snare ; 
And if we wander from our guide, 

We find that danger's there. 

If pride lift up our heads we must 

In condemnation fall ; J 
If vanity once fill our hearts, 

It will endanger all. 

Besides the snares which lie conceal'd, 

Our passage to oppose, 
Where'er we turn we're there seduc'd 

With subtile crafty foes. § 

• Gen. iii. 1. f 2 Thes. ii. 9. J Prow xvi. 18. § Prov. xii. 26. 
l2 



M8 the world's perils^ 

Napoleon with his battery plays- 

At open eyes and ears ; 
To covetousness turns desire, * 

And to despair our fears.. -f- 

Yet Jesus fought and foil'd the foey 
And clean he swept the field ; 

He made the principalities 

And powers of darkness yield, f 

Though earth and hell, — remaining sin,— 

The worst of all the three, 
Shall beat against our bark, yet safe 

In harbour we shall be. 

In heav'n our spiritual frame is fix'd r 

Infirmities shall cease, 
And no corruption's there ? for all 

Is purity and peace. § 

When our infantile minds will then 

Maturity assume, 
And all our darkened midnight shades 

Will brighten into noon. 

For nothing is too hard for him 

By whom all nature stands, 
Who holds the universal helm, 

And angel hosts commands. 

aPsal. s. 3. f Mic. vii. 17. J Col. ii. 15. $ Rev. xxi. 27. 



the world's perils. 149 

His providence and promises 

Our dearest kin exceeds ; 
Bis ardency to do us good 

Exceeds our richest friends.* 

God's Israel need not be afraid, 

Tho' foes obstruct our road, 
For who would fear the wrath of man 

Who is in league with God. 

The watchman asks the wanderer's vail, •{■ 

And captiously molest, 
But finds refuge from him who girds 

With faithfulness his breast. £ 

God will his people's enemies 

Allow so far to go, 
That he may pull them back with shame, 

And frustrate every foe. § 

And still through all our life we find 

That troubles do abound, || 
And injuries, and want, and pain, 

Will more or less be found. 

Nor am I free, altho' that I 

Before Jehovah stand, 
For Satan there accuses me, ^J 

And holds my working hand. 

*Pro.xviii. 24. f Song v. 7. Jlsa. xxv. 4. }2Chro. xxxii.21. 
|| Job iii. 26. H Zech. iii. 1. 



150 the world's perils. 

Ah ! in what troubles are we in 
When in vain life engag'd ; 

By slight neglect or trifle-faults, 
Of comforts we're deprived. 

The crimson fluid which distributes 
To us life, health, and breath, 

We find to be impregnant with 
The killing seeds of death. 

If heat inflame, or toil oppress, 

It doth us so annoy, 
The parts it is design'd to cheer 

Will quickly them destroy. 

If some unseen impediment 
Its motion may divert, 

It poison proves if violence may 
Its circulation part. 

How early do these perils spring 
As soon's we draw our breath, 

For the first pulse begins to beat 
Speaks misery and death. 

So frail's the brittle thread of life, 

So alienated is, 
Not only bursts before the storm, 

But breakes even at a breeze. 



THE WORLD'S PERILS. 151 

Our very comforts killing are, 

If God withdraw his care ; 
The air we breathe will be our bane, 

Our food a deadly fare. 

The most common occurrences 

May deadly weapons yield ; 
Where we suspect small harm may 

Destruction be conceal'd. 

With thorns he fences up our path, * 

And builds a wall around, 
To guard us from the death that lurks 

On sin's forbidden ground. 

The path of life's a thorny path, 
With snares and traps is strewed ; 

It's catch'd our head, our heart, and hand, 
And all our comforts bow'd. 

In all our earthly pilgrimage 

Our cross must still be borne ; 
The brightest rose that spreads its leaves 

Springs from a prickling thorn. 

With early courage should we strive 

Our minds to fortify, 
And with becoming patience take 

What heaven has set by. 

*Hos. ii. 6. 



152 the world's perils. 

Thus all events with equal mind 

And resolution bear, 
What is designed by, God for my 

Allotted portion here. 

Infinite wisdom never can 

At all mistaken be, 
Nor yet infinite goodness can 

Prove cruel unto me. 

Infinite truth can not be false, 

Nor justice partial prove ; 
No, he makes all things work for good 

To those who truly love. 

Tho ? Esau meets with arm'd force, * 
And Laban comes behind, -J* 

God's Israel will be safely kept, 
Their enemies restrained. 

The peaceful oath and feeling tear J 
Their friendship will express ; 

Nor dare a hair of Jacob touch, 
But give the friendly kiss. § 

And Ophrah's altar shall be rais'd, 

And all obstructions cease ; 
Jehovah Shalom shall be rear'd, 

The Lord himself sends peace. || 

• Gen. xxxii 6. f Gen. xxxi. 23. J Gen. xxxi, 53. 

§ Gen. xxxiii. 4. || Judg. vi. 24. 



the world's perils. i 53 

He governs all human affairs, 

And knows with certainty 
The character of good and bad, 

And marks their destinies, * 

There's none so happy as have all, 

That they can ask no more ; 
And none so miserable as not 

To have some good in store. 

For tribulation ye shall have, 

For this is not your home, 
But take encouragement, saith Christ, 

For I have overcome. -J- 

Tho' curses down from Ebal falls | 

In fiery threats abound, 
Yet Mount Gerezim issues forth 

Its blessings all around. 

The fertile garden weeds produce, 
The wheat with tares is fraught ; § 

Although tbe city pleasant be, 
The water may be nought. || 

Tho' tares and wheat together grow, 
Nought shall the saints annoy ; 

The righteous Lord shall not the good 
With wicked men destroy, ^f 

# Gen. xxv. 23. f John xvi. c3. J Deut. xxvii. 13. 

} Matt. xiii. 26. || 2 Kings ii. 19. U Gen xviii. 23. 



154 the world's perils. 

Though famine often overspread, 

And lean the fat devour ; * 
Tho' wild gourds in the pot be strewed, 

No death it shall procure. -J* 

My human nature may indeed 

My senses terrify ; 
Its weakness and its helplessness, 

And more inconstancy. 

Temptations like an arm'd force 

Do oft my peace beguile, 
tLest their formidable assaults 

Against me should prevail. 

My heart desponds lest upon me 

These enemies should fall, 
And I a victim should one day 

Fall in the hands of Saul. J 

Prosperity to me I find 

Doth often prove a snare, 
And cause neglect and disregard 

Of God's unerring care. 

In straitening circumstances let 

Me study well to live, 
Rather than that by my neglect 

Forget the hand that give. 

* Gen. xli. 7. f 2 Kings iv. 41 . J 1 Sam. xxvii. 1. 



the world's perils. 155 

Thro' trials, deaths, and cheerless days, 

I wander'd oft from rest, 
Fond pleasures, pursuits, to obtain, 

And yet remain unbless'd. 

The world's good is hard and long 

Before it be obtain'd, 
But soon and very often is 

Uncomfortable spent. 

It's in opinion sweet, but yet 

Experience proves it sour ; 
The good is often overrun 

By ills we must endure. 

If worldly expectations 

Should make our hearts beat high, 
Proportionable heavy will 

Our disappointments be. •* 

Our ills come numerous, posting fast, 

But slowly go away, 
While pleasures creep as slow as snails, 

But quick as eagles fly. 

So mutable's our mortal state, 

It's all uncertainties ; 
The rich and honour'd in a day 

Become poor and despis'd. -J- 

* Esther v. 14.— vi. 12. f Job xix. 19. 



156 the world's perils. 

But ills in close succession may 
On good men. ]oe lettfall, * -* 

Yet when their portion is in God, 
He recompenseth all. * 

But soon the wicked's earthly bliss 
Is blasted, fades, and dies ; 

From their possession all their wealth 
Is torn by surprise. -J* 

For honour, nobles, children, wives, 
The kingdom, wealth, and state, 

His freedom, eyes, and all at once, 
Was Zedekiah's fate. J 

If we our wealth should idolize, 

We may its loss deplore, 
And find, like Mieah's gods, when gone, 

That w r e have nothing more. § 

Our state is somewhat lunar like, 

By increase or decay ; 
Or like the ocean's foaming waves, 

It flows or rolls away. 

No wonder God should strike the man 
That acts presumptiously, || 

When mercy infinite extends 
To our infirmity. 

*• Job xlii. 12. f Job iv. 9. J 2 Kings xxv. 7< 
$ Jud. xviii. 24. || 2 Sam. vi. 7. 



THE WORLD'S PERILS. 15? 

The ark will not be touch'd by no. 

Unwarrantable hand, 
Or else the God whose name it bears 

To order will command. * 

God's quarrel with Beth-shemites should 

Induce us strict to guard -J- 
Against contemptuous freedom with 

What for himself s reserv'd. 

Our careless, stubborn service will 

A holy God disdain, 
For when the ark removes, his hand 

Revenging strikes again. J 

i 

Tho' for the space of twenty years, 

Abinadab should be 
The faithful host of God's own ark, § 

Yet glorify'd he'll be. 

The sanctity of parent can't 

For children's sin atone, 
God will be served like himself 

By father and by son. 

When Israel's grand proeession mareh'd; 

With angel jollity, 
God no presumptuous act will spare 

Of infidelity. 

«2 Sara. vi. 7. 1 1 Sam. vi. 19. J2 Sam. vi. 7. 
§ 2 Sam. vi. 3. 



158 the world's perils. 

The holy God will damp the scene, 
And dash presumption down ; 

And strike the faithless Uzzah dead, 
And mar the solemn tune * 

Mirth's often to astonishment, 

And to confusion form'd ; 
Th ? ark's joyful procession was 

To grief and mourning turn'd. 

The cause which drove from Paradise, 

Drove Paradise from us, 
That we're a burden to ourselves, -J* 

By every varied cross. 

Self-love brings such a train of sin 

In ungovern'd sway, 
Unthankful, proud, and covetous, 

Apart from honesty. J 

The gospel net encloses both 

Indiscriminately ; 
Both good and bad, the tares and wheat, 

In this probation day. 

Among gold ore there will be dross, 
And chaff among the wheat ; 

And scoffers in the gospel times, 
And errors cloud the light. § 

* 2 Sam. vi. 8. f Job vii. 20. J 2 Tim. iii. 3. § 2 Tim. iii. 2. 



the world's perils. 159 

So we deform'd and denTd, 

Defac'd by guilt and sin ; 
Discoloured by passion is 

Our character and name. * 

To future events often we 

Impatient ardour show ; 
Our blind mistaken ignorance 

Oft proves our overthrow. 

Imagination dreams of sweets, 

Tho' unbecommingly, 
The things that's really for our. good 

We thoughtlessly pass by. 

Now give me children or I die, 

Was Rachel's vain desires, -f- 
And by the sad accomplishment 

Brings forth and then expires. J 

The lively branch springs forth, but yet 

The stem is withered ; 
She leaves the helpless stranger, and 

To dust is gathered. § 

Our foolish passionate desires 

By mercy are confin'd, 
Because with every favourite view 

Misfortune is entwin'd. 

° Job xv. 16. t Gen. xxx. 1. J Gen. xxxv. IS. 
§ Gen. xzxv. 19. 



1 60 the world's perils. 

O pitiable case when now 

Young Benjamin appears, 
He's lost the friend and guardian of 

His tender infant years. * 

Our forward wishes to restrain, 

Should be our daily task ; 
For justly may't be said to us 

Ye know not what ye ask. -J- 

The Lord his piercing chastisements, 

As messengers he sends, 
That snatches off our children and 

Cuts down our dearest friends. 

He cuts our comforts by the roots, 
When they exceed their bounds ; 

He tears our joys aud fond delight, 
And choicest pleasures prunes. 

He blasts our hopes like Jonah's gourd, 
And makes our comforts cease ; 

If once the worm touch the roots, 
It kills them all with ease. \ 

He clouds our prospects, mars our plans, 

And our dependence shows ; 
His angels sends to cross our lines, 

And stops our favourite views. § 

c Gen.xxxv.l8. fMatt.xx.22. JJona.iv. 7. {Num.xxii.27. 



THE WORLD'S PERILS. 161 

Jehoshaphat shall not succeed, 

Though pious he may be, 
If with a wicked neighbour he 

Shall join affinity. * 

His plans of commerce soon will fail, 
The Lord his works will break ; 

No ships to Tarshish he shall send 
For Ahaziah's sake, -j- 

Tho' righteous Lot a city saves, 

His wife can not rescue ; 
If but one single wishful look, 

To Sodom she shall show. J 

Those who small presents will neglect, 

Soon by experience 
Shall like Lot's wife be monuments 

Of disobedience. 

The angels who first broke the hedge, 

And heaven's law despis'd, 
Were apprehended, bound in chains, 

With mighty vengeance seiz'd. § 

It's not heaven's special favourites 

That's from perplexity, || 
Nor from the world's pinching wants, ^ 

Nor tribulation free. ** 

2 Chro. xx. 35. f 2 Chro. xx. 37. J Gen. xix. 26. § Jude vi. 

|| 1 Cor. iv. 10. H 1 Cor. iv. 11. °* John xvi. 35. 

M 



162 THE WORLDS PERILSv 

Set as appointed unto death, 

A spectacle unto men, — * 
Persecuted, buffeted, -J* 

Despis'd, yet truth maintain. {' 

The gospel heralds, like their Lord, 
Oft have no resting place, — 

Held as offscourings, fools for Christ, § 
Defam'd, and yet they bless. || 

In vessels frail, are treasures hid, 
That sovereign grace may shine ; *j[ 

Tho' troubled on every side, ** 
Their great support's divine, -j--}- 

Exil'd by stern oppression's hand 

To seek a foreign shore, 
To brave the boisterous waves nor see 

Their friends nor country more. 

The treacherous foe's malignant force 
With all his rage and power, 

Who will with serpent's subtlety 
And lion's rage devour. 

The wicked brews the cup, the dregs 
Of which themselves must drain, 

The righteous Lord with snares and fire, 
Will tempests on them rain. Jf 

*1 Cor. iv. 9. fl Cor. iv. 10, 11, 12. Jl Gor. xv. 20. 

$ 1 Cor. iv. 10, 13. || 1 Cor. iv. 12, 13. II 2 Cor. iv. 7. 

** 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9. ft 2 Cor. vi. 7. JJ Psal. xi. 6, 7. 



the world's perils. 163 

Why should the heirs of heaven grudge, 
When mourning here they see, 

Tho' travellers in Bochim's fields, * 
And Achor's vale they be. -j- 

So short duration has their toils, 

Their sorrow, grief, and sin, 
They've scarcely time to heave a sigh 

Until their joys begin. J 

Molehills of trouble oft are ta'en 

For mountains of distress, 
Altho' but shadows passing by 

And suddenly will pass. 

I, Lazarous like, will wait the crumbs 

That grace has kept is store, 
And cast myself as pensioner 

At mercy's open door. 

And at the munificent board 

For my subsistence wait, 
And what the Giver's pleas'd to give, 

Altho' a crumb, will take. 

Our privileges all are lost, 

Except what he restores ; 
Be grateful tho' it were but for 

The dogs to lick our sores. § 

-Judg.ii.5. flsa.lxv.10. J2Cor.iv.17. $Lukexvi.21. 
M 2 



161 THE WORLD'S PERILS. 

Goodness and mercy surely shall 

Me follow all my days ; 
God's everlasting mercy shall 

Support in all my ways. * 

My troubles it shall sweeten and 

Shall see them to an end ; 
What shall I fear when thus I have 

Omnipotence my friend, -j- 

For soon will shadow evils pass, 
And brighter days will shine ; 

And solid, sure, substantial good, 
Will be for ever mine, f 

Where noonday glory ever shine, 

And pleasure's river swell 
In ages of communion, 

And joys that never fail. 

No disappointment there will create 

The smallest discontent ; 
How cheerful will the mourners be, 

When sorrows all are spent. 

God's such a portion as will make 

The sons of sorrow smile, 
And glory's such a weight as will 

Remunerate their toil. § 

♦ Psal.c.5. tPsal-xxvii.5. JPsal.xvi.il. $2Cor.ir.l7. 



the world's perils. 16S 

The fulness of the heavenly bliss 

Admits of no control ; 
No vain vexation, want, nor woe, 

Can prey upon the soul — 

When once the happy day ^hall dawn ? 

When troubles shall expire ; 
When death, and hell, and sin is east 

Into the lake of fire. * 

* Rev. xx. 14. 



THE WORLD'S WANTS. 
PART IX.— Letter I. 



0, poor, dependant, helpless man, 
How soon his wants appear'd ; 

His destitute dependance came 
As soon's his frame was rear'd. * 

The earth with fruit, and beasts, and bliss, 

In fulness did abound ; 
But no sufficient help for him 

Among them all was found. -{- 

They all were for his servants fit, 

But no companion found ; 
Yet God who finds the want supplies, 

To have his comforts crown'd. 

And rather than man's innocence 
Should want the comforts meet, 

God will a new creation work 
To make it more complete. J 

* Acts x?ii. 28, 29. f Gen. ii. 20. J Gen. ii. 22. 



the world's wants. 167 

For clearness and equality 

God's bounty's absolute ; 
The comfort's seen before it's sought, 

And perfect all throughout. * 

But soon does first love vanish, and 

The holy ardour cool ; 
He's paralysed by sin, and laid 

Beside Bethesda's pool, f 

Though in the porch, and in the spot, 

A foot he cannot move ; 
He's helpless, and no human skill 

Can his disease remove. 

Corruption's sunk him down, o'er which 

He can have no control, 
Until the Great Physician comes, 

With " Wilt thou be made whole?" f 

And when his journey he pursues, 

Robbers obstruct his road ; 
The hand of violence intercepts 

As soon's he goes abroad. 

He's stript and wounded, beat and bruised, 

Left helpless and half dead ; § 
When comes the good Samaritan, 

Who is a friend indeed. || 

* Gen. ii. 23. f John v. 2. J John iii. 6. J Luke x. 30. 
|| Luke x. 33. 



168 the world's wants. 

He calleth, Wilt thou be made whole ? 

Then ask, and knock, and pray, 
I'll deck with noble ornaments, 

And every want supply. 

Great and extensive is his grace, 
How rich, how full, and free ; 

The needy he delights to raise, — 
I'll tell my wants to thee. 

I'll humbly raise my feeble voice, — 

bring salvation near ; 

My God my many wants supply, 
And manifest thy care. 

I want to reverence thy name, — 

1 want to know thee more, — 

I want to feel the heavenly flame 
Which I have felt before. 

I want to feel my soul resign'd, 
Submissive to thy will ; — 

I want a meek and humble mind, — 
I want my wants to feel. 

Our best excellencies we find 
Are blandish'd with defect, 

For one endowment we possess, 
We find another lake. 



the world's wants. 169 

If nature has displayed itself 

In feature or in form, 
It's overbalanc'd if we want 

The action to perform. 

Though we have memory quick and good, 

Our fancy may be dull ; 
We may have many right hand wants, 

Altho' the left be full. 

Tho' in imagination 

We sprightly do appear, 
Our judgment may be weak and move 

within a narrow sphere. 

Or if more sprightly we appear 
And judgment quick and strong, 

The utterance may be very bad, * 
Or something other wrong. 

See Leah for her fruitfulness, 

And Rachel's love envy'd ; f 
Yet Leah would not barren be, J 

Nor Rachel tender ey'd. 

God wisely measures out, and with 

An equal balance weighs 
Our cross and comforts, tempering 

Our sorrows and our joys. 

° Exod. iv, 10. f Gen. xxx. 1. J Gen. xxx, 



170 THE WORLD'S WANTS. 

That sorrow may not overwhelm, 
Nor yet transport with joy ; 

That faith may not be overcome, 
Nor unbelief destroy. 

If I repose my trust in God, 
By faith make him my own, 

My meanest wants for to abate, 
His bounty shall be shown. * 

I'm bounded here on every side, 
Nor can my freedom buy ; 

I'm all made up of wants and debt, 
And nothing have to pay. 

I want regenerating grace, 
A will conform to thine, — 

Loose all my bonds of wickedness, 
Make all my powers divine. 

Ah how my wants on every hand, 
And every where prevail ; 

I knowledge want to know my wants, 
Nor can their number tell. -J- 

They want the presence of their God, 
Who proud and haughty be, 

A neighbour's comfort they must want 
Who bear to him envy. 

* Psal. xxxiv. 9. fRev. Hi. 17. 



THE WORLD'S WANTS. 171 

The angry man must want himself, 

And happiness within ; 
The covetous must surely want 

The pleasure of his gain. 

But those who name the name of Christ, 

And to his will consent, 
Whatever wants he's pleas'd to send, 

They are therewith content. * 

But sin's our greatest enemy, 

Sets wants all in array, 
Which like a fierce antagonist % 

That sets us solitary. J 

Drys up the streams of tender care, § 

Domestic kindness slays, 
Turns fruitful fields to barrenness, 

And earth's production stays. || 

It's mostly in a middle state 

That we content enjoy, ^j 
Where no excess by affluence 

Nor poverty annoy. 

The greatness of the Shunammite 
Her wants could not repair, ** 

Until heaven's messenger proclaim'd 
To her a son and heir. -J--J- 

°PhiLiY.ll. fProv.vi.31. JJob.xxx.3. $Deut.xxviii.57. 

|| Deut. xxxix. 23 . IT 2 Kings iv. 15. #» 2 Kings iv. 14, 

ft 2 Kings iv, 16. 



172 the world's wants. 

But there's no bold in earthly things, 

How slippery is the stand, 
The wealthy Shunammite could tell 

When stript of all her land. * 

But may the Lord my wants disclose 

In all their varieties ; 
Accommodate his grace that I 

Earth's trifles may despise. 

I want thy mighty influence Lord 

To melt the stony breast, 
Then shall thy justice be adoi'd, 

Thy mercy stand confess'd. 

These trifles all are nought to me, 
If Christ makes up for all ; 

He hath his glory emptied -J* 
My many wants to fill. 

The gospel treasure so enrobes 

In garments that impose ; 
Riches that diamonds of the earth 

Does all their lustre lose. 

It asks no bricks without the straw, 

But ample means afford ; 
Its service, freedom, and its hire, 

A large and sure reward. J 

• 2 Kings viii. 5. f Phil. ii. 6. t Luke vi. 33, 35. 



the world's wants. 173 

The gospel rectifies our right, 

And seals our title deeds 
Unto the heirship of th' estate 

To which the saints succeeds. 

And into our inheritance, 

Possessions large and great, 
Enrolls us as the citizens, — 

Those of the royal state. 

And Hephzibah, the Lord's delight. 

When all your toil is o'er ; 
And Beulah, married to the Lord, 

And never sorrow more. * 

If we be his, then all is ours 

When he makes up the odds ; 
Our wants are all made up in him, 

For Christ himself is God's. ■{■ 

* Isa, Ixii. 4. f 1 Cor. iii. 22. 23. 



THE WORLD'S IMPERFECTIONS AND 
INCONSISTENCIES. 

PART X.— Letter K. 



If nature's privileges were 

At all worth our regard, 
The first-born son of earth had not 

A reprobation shar'd. * 

The common gifts of God respects 

Not privilege and blood, 
Who dare guide him by rules in choice, 

But when he sees it's good. 

Now Adam's image stamp'd on those, 
To him their being ow'd ; •{• 

The cleanest grain sends forth the chaff 
From which it's fann'd ere sow'd. 

The sea divides, Sinai flames, 
The friendly cloud appears ; 

Such strange events present themselves, 
But greater wonder's here. 

a Gen. iv. 16. f Gen. v. iii. 



the world's imperfections, &c. 175 

Immanuel, God with us, reveal'd, 

His righteousness is ours ; 
By faith in his atoning blood 

Our safety he insures. 

My soul's infected with disease 

By sin's polluted stain ; 
But healed by a friendly touch 

Of Jesus' garment hem. * 

Our sins and our transgressions made 

The occasion, not the cause, 
Of manifesting love to us 

Who broke heav'n's righteous laws. 

No good our ruin'd state can boast 

God's precepts to fulfil, 
Our hearts are so deceitful and 

So obstinate our will. 

Our passions here make many fools,— 

Our pride and discontent 
We're smitten with a leprosy, 

To worldliness we're bent. 

Pride introduceth many ills, 

And much confusion brings ; 
Strife, slander, envy, and reproach, 

Are subjects where it reigns. 

^Matt.ix. 20,22. 



176 the world's imperfections 

For what am I but a compound 

Of imperfection vain, 
Grasping at what I cannot find, 

Nor never will obtain. 

May I with willingness admit 
The Saviour's gentle sway ; 

And since it is his right to reign, 
With pleasure I obey. 

Then though both earth and hell combine 

Our diadem to deface, 
Our righteousness secur'd in Christ 

Our lustre shall increase. 

A skilful pilot holds the helm, 
Though adverse winds may blow, 

Tho' waters stand upon an heap, 
They cannot overflow. * 

Thro' good and bad, thro' wind and storm, 
The bark must speed her way ; 

And oft a dark and gloomy morn 
Succeeds a charming day. -J- 

Trust not ye in oppression, 

And from all robb'ry fly, 
For men of low extraction's vain, 

And high degree's a lie. f 

• Josh. iii. 19. f Esth. ix. 22. t Psal. lxii. 9, 10. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 177 

The friends that we have held so dear, 

Like brooks have pass'd away, 
And all their friendships disappear 

In our extremity. 

Oft those whom we have most esteem'd, 

Have turn'd our bitterest foes ; 
Whom we most tenderly have lov'd, 

Which aggravate our woes. 

For human friendship is but weak, 

In shades of grief below ; 
How vain to place our confidence 

On dying gourds that grow. 

To idolize and please the world, 

How vain is the attempt, 
If we displease our maker and 

Cast on ourselves contempt. 

When I descend from Pisga's top, 

The view is but in part. 
While earth employs my eyes and hands, 

Lord captivate my heart. 

Thy heavenly grace impart to walk 

The strait and narrow road, 
And let the stump of Dagon fall 

Before the ark of God. * 

* 1 Sam. v. 4. 

N 



178 the world's imperfections; 

The Ark of God will find no rest 

Till Dagon is put down ; 
From Ashdod unto Gath it's driven,, 

And sent from town to town. * 

A transient evil may be stain'd 

With durable reproach ; 
The congregation of the Lord 

No bastard dare approach, -{* 

Until ten generations 

Brands with indignity, 
The issue of such actors can't 

Avoid or remedy. J 

Yet God, who binds us to his laws,. 
Will not be bound by ours ; 

If Jephthah goes to God for help, 
His victory he insures. § 

He's as a bastard cast away, 
With fierce malignant hate ; 

Yet God esteems him when he is 
At Israel's helm set. || 

By contrary passes God 

Brings purposes about ; 
If Jephthah had not been so base. 

He had not been cast out. 

• 1 Sam. v. 7, 8. fDeut. xxiii. 2. J Judg. xr. f , 
$Judg. xi. 32. |! Judg. xi. 2&. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 179 

And if not from his brethren thrust, 
Their captain had not been ; * 

But God will find a time to use 
The gifts which he hath gi'en. 

And will fetch good from seeming ill, 

And to himself the praise ; 
And out of man's exile he can 

From ruin glory raise. •{• 

Men love to go the nearest way, 

And yet do widely roam ; 
God very often goes about, 

And yet comes surely home. J 

Necessities will drive us out 
To make the helps our choice, 

Which in our folly we reject, 
And wantonness despise. § 

Our sacred, solemn exercises 

Does very ill accord ; 
It's not a pleasure but a task, 

Detained before the Lord. || 

God's better to us than we would, 

As Isaac's wants evince ; 
He prays to God to give a son, — 

He gives him two at once. ^[ 

« Judg. xL 5, 6. f Judg. xi. 11. J Jude 11, 36. $ Judg. xi, 2. 

|| 1 Sam. xxi. 7, IT Gen. xxv. 21, 22. 

n2 



180 the world's imperfections 

Before Rebekah did conceive, 
She found herself in peace ; 

Before regeneration, 

We live in slothful ease. 

But when our nature is renew'd, 

Then parties disagree ; 
And if no combat, that's a sign 

We're not from bondage free. 

Esau himself would not have striven, — 

Nature alone will live ; 
And no Rebekah is so well 

As but a Jacob have. 

She must be mother of them both, 

That she be exercis'd ; 
That faith and patience may have scope,- 

The flesh be mortify'd. 

The gospel plan does not intend 

Our notions to amuse, 
But faith and patience to exert, 

And every effort use. 

Altho' desire enlarge as hell, 

It cannot satisfy ; * 
He consults shame unto his house, 

That sets his nest en high, -j- 

*Hab. ii.5. fHab. ii. 9, 10. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 181 

Ambition passes all its bounds 

Of common equity ; 
With haughty insolence breaks through 

The bounds of modesty. * 

Their glory from conception's birth 
Like birds oft from them fly ; -J* 

Their own doings them beset, f 
The good they east away. § 

The very stones shall witness bear, 

And from the walls will cry ; 
The beams and timber answer it, 

And hastens to obey. || 

Like Lot, we often lingering stand, 

Tho' vengence be in view ; 
It's mercy pulls us by the hand, 

Or we shall perish too. ^f 

The doom of Sodom will be ours, 

If we should Mammon give 
Our heart's affections and desires, 

Then cleave to Christ and live. 

It's wealth makes Lot undutiful, ** 

But Abram bids him choice, 
And on Gomorrah's fertile plains 

He sets his wishful eyes. 

•*Hab.i.ll. tHos.ix.ll. JHos.ix.2. $flosix.3. 
11 Hab. ii. 11. IF Gen. xix. 16. ** Gen. xiii. 5, 6, 9, 10. 



182 the world's imperfections 

The manners of th' inhabitants 
Lot did not once enquire,* 

The situation and the soil 
Excited his desire. 

But ere he tenant Sodom long, 

He for his rashness pays, 
Betrays his life and goods likewise, 

When both are made a prize. •{• 

Deceitful guides are outward views. 

Appearance don't esteem, 
For they deserve to be deceiv'd 

Who value as they seem. 

But ill success drives not Lot out, 

Nor Sodomites refines, 
For Lot loves his commodities, 

And Sodomites their crimes. J 

At last Lot's hasten'd that he might 
Th' impending danger shun, § 

Yet tho' he fled from company, 
He could not flee from sin. 

Not all the sinful Sodomites 
Could righteous Lot deceive, 

Yet sin a complete victory gain'd, 
When in his lonely cave. || 

•'Gen. xiii. 13. fGen. xiii. 14. J Gen. xviii 20. 
{ Gen. xviii. 20. |) Gen. xix. 36. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 183 

Heav'n only is the sure defence 

Against infirmities ; 
Which of the saints have not been caught 

In inconsistencies ? 

O who could think to find the man 

That once so high did shine 
Above the waters of the flood, 

And yet was drunk with wine* * 

Who only in a world unclean, 

By God was righteous found, 
A patron preacher to the world, 

Yet proves unclean, unsound. 

One hour betrays six hundred years 

Of virtuousness unstain'd ; 
If God allows his saints to fall, 

They lose what they have gain'd. 

The king, the priest, and prophet of 

The world, wash'd from stain, 
Renews the guilt which he reproved, 

And saw the judge condemn. 

A graceless Ham will sport with shame, 

In Satan's service bent ; 
Twice Noah gave him life, yet is 

Not shielded from's contempt, f 

°Gen, ix. 21. fGen. ix. 22. 



184 the world's imperfections 

It's good for Noah Ham could tell 

To none but to his own ; 
If none but friends our faults should know 

Concealment would be shown. * 

Some filthy deeds may be conceal'd 

Below the temple's stones ; 
God's ark may nourish monsters and 

Reserve them ft>r the flames. -[- 

An harvest for them he hath set, J 

He'll thrust the sickle in ; § 
And as they've plough'd and sown will they 

Be reckon'd with for sin. 

And yet with horrid swiftness he 

Destruction on them brings ; 
With violence suddenly the wind 

Hath bound them in its wings. || 

These talents were not given to us 

Our passions to enslave, 
Or yet detain or bind us to 

What we're enjoin'd to leave. 

But all our virtues to refine, 

Exalt our noble powers, 
Persuade conception, and in God 

A certainty insures. 

°Gen. ix. 23. | Hos. iv. 17. J Hos. vi. 11. $ Joeliii. 13. 
II Hos. iv. 19. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 185 

If our good qualities were stript 

Of all our former stains , 
It would be mortifying to find 

That nothing else remains. 

Take from your life the useless parts, 

Sickness and infancy, 
What's then for God but sloth and sleep, 

And thoughtless hours set by. 

View your devotion if you would 

Your imperfection see, 
Even your religion testifies 

Your insufficiency. 

But if divine support's withdrawn, 

Or heavenly grace restrain'd, 
The .best of saints their frailty shows 

Their lives with guilt are stain'd. 

A natural and a moral want 

Of inability ; 
I want the art to dig, to beg 

I want humility. * 

Some have a flower of utterance, 

But yet wants knowledge root ; 
Some knowledge in a napkin hide, 

Without producing fruit. 

c Luke xvi. 3. 



186 the world's imperfections 

A forward man as Peter was, 

His courage soon resign'd, 
Good resolutions soon are lost 

By an unguarded mind. * 

A perfect man as Noah was, 

May be by wine overcome, -j- 
And blameless Zechariah may 

By unbelief be dumb. | 

As meek a man as Moses was, 
His meekness from him flies ; 

At Meribah before the rock 
In wrath he smote it twice. § 

And Solomon, that mighty king, 

In wisdom, towered high, || 
And yet how low his folly sunk, 

His actions do display, ^f 

And Absalom, though very fair, 

His beauty's but a show ; 
His ornament prov'd unto him 

His utter overthrow. ** 

An upright man as Jonathan, 

Such courage is but rare, 
As son of Saul and David's friend, 

Obedient and sincere. 

• Matt. xxvi. 69. fGen.ix.21. JLukei.20. §Deut.xxxii.51. 
U 1 Kings iv. 31. % 1 Kings xi. 9. ** 1 Sam. xviii. 9. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 1 87 

See Adam, Samson, Solomon, 

Wise, perfect, strong, and all, 
Stood highest of our race, and yet 

Their helpers made them fall. 

They who a faithful helpmate find, 

They comfort shall obtain ; 
But what disorders may occur 

To match a Philistine ? * 

Afflictions have advantages, 

To them God's mercy's bent ; 
Manoah's wife is barren and 

To her an angel's sent. -J- 

As Satan's batteries subtilly 

Against the weakest play, 
So contrary, God directs 

His strength those to supply. 

And comforts will address to those 

Neglected and in need, 
And show them that the woman's seed 

Shall bruise the serpent's head. 

All our afflictions, (thou art barren,) 

Our God delights to ease ; 
One glance of his omniscient eye, 

Our real condition sees. 

c Judg. xv. 6. f Judg. xiii. 3. 



188 the world's imperfections 

Good angels first will let us see 
Of what we should complain, 

And then applies the cordial that 
We comfort may obtain. 

When God intends a special work, 

He early will begin ; 
Those whom he will make wonderful, 

Begins his wonders soon. 

For both the cradle and the womb 

Presage the future life ; 
Witness Rebekah, in her womb * 

Began the hateful strife. 

A strict, holy austerity, 

Attends a special call ; 
And Israel's champion's mother must 

Pay strict regard to all. -[• 

Credulity to man, we find, 

Is oft a dangerous road, 
But christian virtue, if we have 

A steadfast faith in God. 

None ever was repuls'd to whom 
The prayer of faith was given ; 

Ere good desires be frustrate, 
An angel's sent from heaven. } 

* Gen. xxv. 22. f Judg. xiii. 14. J Judg. xiii. 9. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 18£ 

More names from Christ we borrow, if 

We walk the patent road, 
For as we're Christians, so we must 

Be Nazarites to God. 

The consecration's on our heads, 

To Nazarites it's given ; 
Not drinking wine, but drunkenness,, 

Is not the way to heaven. 

If homely sights the saints effect, 

Of glory but a ray, * 
What fear will sinners feel before 

Him whom angels obey. 

Instead of looking cheerfully 

On causes of our joy, 
Our infirm nature brings us down, 

We fall like good Manoah. 

From comfort, causes oft we dread 

Where life itself consists ; 
In confirmation, death conceives, 

Where happiness exists. 

Among Israel's deliverers 

We find there is not one 
Recorded so much weakness as 

We find in this Samson. 

°Judg. xiii. 22. 



190 the world's imperfections 

Conception, dieting, and all 

The Nazarite sacrifice, 
Was not more wonderful than was 

The news of his own choice. * 

A pagan's daughter sees and falls 

In love incessently, 
And all his strength we see begins 

In his infirmity. 

The champion given to overcome 
The heathenish Philistines, 

One maid o'ercomes him, — the depth 
Of heaven's wise designs ! 

He found heat of unfit desire 

For all his homely fare, 
His fancy thus a tyrant made, 

And not his counsellor. 

Unworthy of a Nazarite, 

To love a Philistine ; 
Intemperate heat of passion strikes 

Upon a comely skin. 

Affection not more blind than deaf, 
We in the champion see ; 

He can't defend, yet he pursues, 
Get her, she pleaseth me. 

•Judg. xiv. 3. 



* 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 191 

But Samson might like sluggard say 

A lion's in the way ; 
But fear will not deter him whom 

Persuasion could not sway. 

The hungry lion furiously 

Came strong and fierce to tear ; 
Might not Samson have thought him sent 

To stop his wild career. 

But tho' his bones had been as brass, 

And bars of iron bound, 
Would been alike to him by whom 

The leviathan's bound. 

No fence had Samson but his strength, 

No weapon in his hand ; 
The spirit of the Lord in him 

The victory doth command. 7 

This fashion it has been with God 

His champions to try, 
Initiatory exercise 

To strengthen faith thereby. 

Manoah, if behind the hedge, 

And had his courage seen, 
No farther care would he have had 

To match a Philistine. 

° Judg. xiv. 5. f Judg. xiv. 6. 



192 the world's imperfections 

The Lion's ramping, bristling breast, 
His sparkling fiery eyes ; 

His raised mane and fearful stare, 
Presage he has the prize. 

His month and nostrils breathing out 

Destruction instantly, 
And roaring out the knell of death, 

To see so fair a prey. 

But saw not his antagonist 
Who could the monster stay, 

Nor did he know his maker was 
His fiercest enemy. 

What's lions in their maker's hand, 
Who stints them with the awe 

Of Adam, Noah, Daniel, 
Shuts their voracious jaw. 

A lion Samson could not move, 
Tho' raging fierce and wild, 

But yet a woman's tears subdues, — 
Makes him a very child. * 

'Mong thirty, either loss or gain, 
Of course could be but small, 

But plunderous rapacity 
Makes them to grasp at all. 

Judg. xiv. 17. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 193 

Samson did ne'er infirmities 

Betray so much as this ; 
Xn's bosom kindly rolled up 

His fond uxoriousness. 

The world's courtecies are hollow, 

And cunning is its wiles ; 
Nor purposes so ill, as when 

It shows its fairest smiles. 

None are so near to danger as 

Those whom it ententains, 
And those may have suspicious fears 

Who match with Philistines. 

He whom the lion found alone 

Has now got large supplies, — 
Attendants as companions, but 

They may be term'd spies. * 

The joy that vain amusements gives 

Our nobler pleasures spoil ; 
The world's esteem is but a bribe, 

Which our best hopes beguile. 

How much like Martha are we vex'd, 
And cares engross our thought, — 

Encumber'd, hurried, and perplex'd, 
And needful things forgot. 

* Judg. xiv. 11. 
O 



194 the world's imperfections 

may the living word, the light, 
Shine forth before our eyes, 

And fortify our hearts against 
Our inconsistencies. 

The lions rage and roar in vain, 

If Jesus is our shield ; 
Our losses often prove a gain, 

And troubles comfort yield. 

Tho' wealth and honour oft by men 
Is lov'd and much esteemed ; 

It's not the channel heaven's love 
Nor favour is obtain'd. 

superstitious Balak, why 

Is your ambition fierce? 
It's fit that thou should Israel bless, 

And then you will have peace. * 

For Balak your magician may 

Do what the devil can, 
But is these powers omnipotent, 

Or yet the curse of man. 

Though God may Balaam thus permit. 
Yet his pursuits are vain ; 

Look only at the result when 
lie's found among the slain. -J- 

• Num. xxiii. 13. f Num. xxxi. 8. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 195 

The fear of awful judgments is 

Oft by ungodly men 
And worldly hearts at length o'ercome 

By carnal love of gain. * 

Ye who profess the Saviour's name 

Ye're bound by solemn ties 
To seperate yourselves from all 

Your inconsistencies. 

The madness of the Israelites 

In inconsistency, 
The smoke soon vanish'd from their minds 

Though Sinai's in their eye. 

They are unworthy of Moses 

That would so soon forget 5 
Has God and Moses both been lost, 

They're so on idols set ? 

The trembling hill and thundering sound 

Had scarcely ceas'd to roar, 
Till unto Aaron came the cry, 

Make gods to go before. 

He who with Moses was allow'd 

To climb the fiery hill, -J- 
His dignity he soon forgot 

The precept to fulfil. 

°Num. xxii. 33. fExod. xix. 24. 



196 the world's imperfections 

No graven image shalt thou make, * 

It would so ill accord 
With him who gave the strict command 

And said, I am the Lord. -{* 

But what is mortal man when left 

To his extravagance ? 
We act as if we disbelieved 

In God's omnipotence. 

From Moses' brother who would look 
For such an answer's this, — 

Pull off your earrings rather than J 
Chide inconsistedness. 

But what a startling case is this ? 

The joint-commissioner, 
The consecrated priest of God § 

With Moses would compare. 

Does Aaron thus repine against 
The man who sav'd his life 

And consecrated him, yet he 
Begins the unequal strife. 

Miriam and Aaron are so blind, 
Envy hath shut their eyes ; 

They see not nature's privilege, 
Nor honour God's own choice. || 

* Exod. xx. 4. f Exod. xx. 2. J Exod. xxxii. 2. 
§ Ezod. xxx. 30. || Num. xii. 1, 8. 



AND INCONSISTENCIES. 197 

Who can their imperfection stint, 

And fortitude display, 
When God's first consecrated priest 

Shows inconsistency. * 

What shall we think of those who wish 

To dazzle others eyes, 
And care not for the better part, 

Nor seek the immortal prize. 

And those still more whose wish it is 

To rax above their reach, 
Whose vain glory burys itself, 

And is but hypocrites. 

Unlike our Moses, vail'd in flesh, 
Are these self-righteous clan, — 

He shut his miracles of power 
With, See thou tell no man. 

May I his pattern imitate, 

Who earth's foundation laid, 
But had no portion in it, nor 

No where to lay his head ; 

But came with eagerness to save 

From sin's degrading stain, 
And from this evil world free -j- 

And break our bondage chain. 

*Num. xii. 17. fGal. i. 4. 



198 the world's imperfections, &c. 

May I be crucified to it * 

Whose fashion pass away, -j- 
And live unspotted from the world, \ 

And soar above the sky. 

Let me not to the world conform, 

For it's not my abode, 
But may I wholly be transformed 

To do the will of God. § 

And like Elijah's bright assent, 

Earth like his mantle drop, 
That free'd from all encumbrance I 

May climb to Pisgah's top, || 

And fix my centre on the Rock, 

The sure and safe abode, ^f 
And reach the land of uprightness, 

And God shall be my God. ** 

*Gal.vi. 14. 1 1 Cor. vii. 31. J James i. 27. $Rom.xii.2. 
|| Deut. xxxiv. 1. f Exod. xxxiii. 22. ** Psalm cxliii. 10. 







juu>; 



INDEX. 



Showing the different Scripture Texts referred to in the 
foregoing verses. 

The first two columns are the Chapter and Yerse of each 
book as marked. The three last columns are the Part, the 
letter for the Part, and the Page in which it lies. Part First 
is marked with letter A. — Part Second with letter B. — Part 
Third C. — and so on, all the ten parts. 



Genesis. 

Verse. 

27, 29, 30 

31 

12,31 

28 



22 - 

9,15 

17,24 

6,24 



10 



17,24 
24 

14,16 



1 


A 


3 


9 


I 


166 


9 


I 


167 


4 


D 


68 


8 


H 


145 


4 


D 


65 


4 


D 


69 


9 


H 


147 


] 


A 


5 


1 


A 


4 


8 


H 


145 


1 


A 


10 


2 


B 


18 


4 


D 


86 


8 


H 


146 


1 


A 


6 


1 


A 


7 


8 


H 


145 


5 


E 


97 


9 


E 


174 





E 


171 


1 


A 


7 


7 


G 


141 



1 

136 
135 

2 



Genesis. 








Verse. 


Pr. 


Le. 


Page 


21 


1 


A 


11 


7 


2 


B 


23 


21 


10 


E 


186 


21,22 


10 


K 


183 


23 


10 


K 


184 


3,4,8 


4 


D 


74 


4,7,9 


4 


D 


75 


1 


2 


B 


25 


2 


5 


E 


109 


8 


6 


F 


116 


5, 6, 9, 10 


10 


E 


161 


13,14 


10 


K 


162 


20 


1 


A 


13 


23 


5 


E 


92 


24,28 


3 


C 


47 


28 


3 


c 


48 


1 


6 


F 


117 


23 


8 


H 


153 


20 


10 


K 


162 


24 


1 


A 


11 


26 


2 


B 


29 


16 


10 


K 


181 


26 


8 


H 


161 


36 


16 


E 


182 


14 


5 


E 


91 


22 


10 


Iv 


188 


21, 22 


10 


K 


179 


5,6 


4 


D 


65 



200 



INDEX. 



Cha. 

25 


Verse. 

23 


Pr. 

8 


Le. 

IT 


Page 

153 


Cha. 


Deuteronomy. 

Verse. Pr. 


Le. 


26 


21, 22, 23 


7 


G 


132 


23 


3 


10 


K 


27 


28, 40 


6 


F 


120 


27 


13 


8 


H 


27 


34 


6 


F 


123 


28 


57 


9 


I 


27 


42 


7 


a 


132 


32 


24 


8 


H 


28 


16 


6 


F 


122 


32 


51 


10 


K 


30 


1 


8 


H 


159 


34 


1 


10 


E 


30 


1 


9 


I 


169 


39 


23 


9 


I 


31 


23,53 


8 


H 


152 




32 


6 


8 


H 


152 


Joshua. 


33 


4 


8 


H 


152 


3 


4 


2 


B 


35 


78 


8 


H 


160 


3 


19 


10 


K 


35 


18,19 


8 


H 


159 


6 


17 


10 


K 


41 


7 


8 


H 


154 


7 


24 


4 


D 






7 


25 


7 


G 


Exodus. 




9 


5 


4 


D 


4 


10 


9 


I 


169 


10 


12 


4 


D 


8 




1 


A 


10 


13 


22 


4 


D 


9 


23 


4 


D 


70 


15 


17,19 


4 


D 


14 


28,30 


5 


E 


103 


23 


13 


2 


B 


18 


11 


4 


D 


70 


7 


25 


5 


E 


18 


24 


10 


K 


195 




20 


2,4 


10 


K 


196 


Judges. 


30 


30 


10 


K 


196 


1 


6 


3 


C 


32 


2 


10 


K 


196 


2 


5 


8 


H 


33 


22 


10 


K 


198 


4 


21 


2 


B 






5 


20 


1 


A 


Numbers. 




6 


24 


8 


II 


11 


33 


4 


r> 


59 


7 


19,20 


3 


C 


12 


1,2 


10 


K 


196 


9 


5, 6, 14 


3 


C 


13 


33 


3 


C 


48 


9 


56,57 


3 


c 


12 


11 


10 


K 


197 


11 


2, 5, 6, 11, 30 


10 


K 


14 


9 


3 


C 


49 


11 


29, 32 


10 


K 


22 


27 


8 


u 


160 


13 


3 


10 


E 


22 


12,33 


3 


i) 


76 


13 


9,14 


10 


K 


22 


23 


3 


i) 


74 


14 


3 


10 


K 


22 


33 


1( 


K 


195 


14 


5,6 


10 


K 


23 


10 


( 


F 


123 


14 


11 


10 


E 


23 


13 


1( 


K 


194 


14 


17 


10 


K 


23 


8,26 


:■ 


I) 


76 


15 


6 


10 


K 


31 


16 


: 


1) 


77 


16 


16,17 


2 


B 


31 


8 


L( 


K 


194 || 16 


19 


3 


C 


33 


13 


1( 


>K 


194 


'I 18 


24 


8 


11 



INDEX. 



201 



Cha. 


Verse, 1 


Pr.l 


Le. 


Page 


Cha. 


Verse. 


Pr. 


Le. 


Page 


14| 9 | 


6jE |117 


3 


12 


7 


G 


132 






81 


21 


5 


E 


110 


Ruth. 




21 


2, 20, 34 


4 


D 


72 


Ji20 1 


5IE 1114 


22 


28 




C 


52 


2|4, 8, 9 1 


51E |118 


2 Kings. 


1 Samuel. 




2 


19 


8 


H 


153 


2 


29 


7 


a 


131 


2 


24 


1 


A 


10 


2 


33 


1 


A 


10 


4 


14, 15, 16 


9 


I 


171 


3 


33 


3 


c 


51 


4 


41 


8 


H 


154 


4 


21 


1 


A 


8 


5 


22 


4 


D 


71 


5 


4 


10 


K 


177 


5 


37 


3 


C 


58 


5 


78 


10 


K 


178 


6 


17 


6 


F 


125 


6 


19 


8 


H 


157 


10 


9 


4 


D 


85 


15 


30 


4 


D 


74 


10 


16 


4 


D 


74 


15 


32 


2 


B 


17 


8 


5 


9 


I 


172 


16 


6, 7, 12 


6 


F 


114 


18 


4 


5 


E 


109 


17 


54 


3 


C 


52 


19 


28 


3 


C 


47 


19 


16 


3 


C 


52 


25 


7 


8 


H 


156 


18 


8 


7 


a 


132 




18 


9 


10 


K 


186 


1 Chronicles. 


19 


50 


3 


C 


51 


29112 | 2 


B 


32 


20 


22 


5 


E 


108 


29 12 J 3 


C 


60 


21 


7 


10 


K 


179 




27 


1 


8 


H 


154 


2 Chronicles. 


19 


32 


2 


B 


17 


19| 2 1 


5|E 


104 


20 


25 


2 


B 


42 


20 35, 37 


91 


161 


25 


29 


6 


F 


125 


32121 1 8|H 


149 


30 


3,4 


5E 


112 








'Esther. 


2 Samuel. 




3 


5 


3C 


62 


2 


3,4 


5 


E 


85 


5 


9, 12 


3C 


53 


6 


7 


8 


H 


117 


5 


11 


.: 


c 


50 


6 


3, 7, 8, 19 


8 


H 


118 


5 


)J, ]3 


| 


c 


45 


6 


18, 20 


5 


E 


82 


5 


14 


I 


i H 


155 


15 


9 


1 5 


E 


103 


6 


12 


I 


!H 


155 


16 




4 





77 


6 


13 


I 


IC 


53 


17 


14 


3 


C 


52 


7 


10 


% 


;c 


53 






7 


10 


\ 


!C 


45 


1 Kings. 




8 


1 


I 


IC 


45 


2 


42 


7 


a 


128 


8 


2 


: 


JC 


46 


4 


31 


10 


K 


186 


<J 


22 


; 


*J\ 


176 


11 


9 


10 


K 


186 













20S 


j 






IIS 


UEX. 




Job. 




Cha 


Verie. 


Pr. Le. 


Cha 


Verse. 


|Pr. 


Le. Page 


1( 


) 3 


8 H 


1 





1 


A 


8 


1 


6 


4 D 


1 


21 


5 


E 


87 


11 


6, 7 


8 H 


: 


26 


8 


H 


149 


« 


> 7 


3C 


4 


1 9 


8 


H 


156 


11 


111 


6F 


1 


10 


6 


F 


125 


16 


11 


7G 


4 


18, 19 


7 


G 


140 


16 


11 


8 !1 


3 


12 


5 


E 


97 


24 


1 


2 B 


3 


13 


4 


D 


70 


87 


5 


8H 


t 


23 


1 


A 


11 


3C 


5 


2B 


7 


6 


7 


G 


140 


34 


9 


91 


7 


20 


8 


H 


1^8 


39 


6 


2B 


8 


9 


7 


G 


140 


39 


11 


3C 


8 


14 


7 


G 


141 


49 


16 


5E 


8 


13, 14 


7 


G 


130 


49 


17 


SB 


12 


15 


5 


E 


98 


49 


20 


3C 


12 


14,17,18,19,21 


7 


G 


141 


52 


7 


5.E 


13 


8 


5 


E 


98 


62 


7 


6F 


1.5 


16 


8 


H 


158 


62 


9 


7 G 


15 


31 


7 


G 


141 


62 


10 


5E 


\5 


20,21 


5 


E 


96 


69 


29 


4D 


15 


i0, 21, 22, 29. 








71 


15 


7G 




30, 32, 33 


5 


E 


97 


73 


6, 10 


3C 


15 


24, 25, 29 


4 


D 


70 


75 


6 


3C 


\6 


*7 


5 


E 


98 


43 


9 


5E ] 


18 


4,6, 7,8,11, 13, 








49 


6 


5E J 




17, 18 


3 


C 


53 


19 


10 


7G J 


18 


12, 13, 14 


3 


C 


54 


62 


19, 10, 16 


10 K 


19 


8 


3 


c 


53 


78 


37 


7G J 


19 


19 


8 


H 


155 


78 


so 


5E 


20 


5, 6, 7 


7 


GJ32 


78 


49 


3 E 


20 


14, 15,22,23 


2 


B 


21 


7* 


29 


5E 


20 


15 


5E 104 


89 


49 


7G J 


2] 


14 


4 


D 83 


94 


11 


7G 1 


26 


17, 18 


3 


C 


35 


94 


11 


7G J 


21 


16 


5 


E 


92 


96 


9, 12 


7G 1 


30 


1 


2 


B 


34 


97 


6, 11, 12 


7G 1 


30 


/> 


g 


1 


171 


98 


7,8 


7G j 


36 


15, 16,26 


3 


C 


41 


100 


5 


8H 1 


42 


12 






156 


104 


9 


7 G 7 






114 


8 


6 F 1 


Psalms. 




143 


10 


10 K 1 


6\ 


12 


2|li| 20 


145 


13 


2 n 


'. 


14 | 


7|( 


S| 


42 


107 . 


30 ( 


3C 



INDEX. 



203 



Proverbs 








Cha 


Verse. 


Pr 


Le. 


Verse. 


Pr. 


Le 


Pags 


2 


11 


7 


G 


23 


5 


E 


88 


2 


2 


6 


F 


17 


6 


V 


120 


3 


11 


2 


B 


32 


2 


B 


20 


2 


18, 19 


3 


C 


31 


9 


I 


171 


5 


2 


1 


A 


18 


7 


G 


139 


5 


JO 


5 


E 


19 


7 


G 


140 


5 


12 


6 


E 


19 


2 


B 


34 


5 


12 


5 


E 


22 


4 


D 


73 


5 


16 


7 


G 


2S 


7 


G 


129 


3 


19 


7 


G 


4 


5 


E 


105 


4 


4 


7 


G 


28 


7 


G 


131 


5 


11 


5 


K 


28 


2 


B 


20 


5 


12, 13 


.5 


E 


26 


8 


H 


147 


5 


1J, 12 


2 


B 


7 


5 


E 


99 


5 


15 


2 


R 


7 


d 


E 


105 


5 


15 


5 


E 


21 


2 


B 


20 


5 


18, 18 


5 


E 


6 


/, 


E 


106 


6 


2,7 


5 


E 


12 


6 


F 


113 


6 


2, 12 


7 


G 


13 


6 


P 


119 


6 


11 


7 


G 


3 


J 


A 


9 


7 


14 


3 


C 


18 


8 


H 


147 


9 


11, 12 


7 


G 


24 


8 


H 


149 


10 


1 


3 


C 


1 


A 


E 


101 


10 


8 


6 


F 


3 


2 


B 


24 


10 19 


5 


E 


15 


7 


G 


134 


12| 8 


7 


G 


28 


5 


E 


96 






4 


5 


E 


88 


Song. 




2 


t 


A 


10 


1114 


tflFIl 


4,5 


6 


E 


89 


5\ 7 


8|H| 


24 


5 


E 


104 






20 


5 


E 


100 


Isaiah. 




8 


5 


E 


100 


1 


22 


1 


A 






1 


18 


1 


A 


Ecclesiastes. 




1 


18 


1 


A 


14 


7 


G 


134 


2 


12 


2 


B 


15 


1 


A 


8 


3 


1 


8 


H 


15 


7 


G 


133 


3 


24 


3 


C 


3, 


2 


B 


24 


4 


7 


3 


C 


14 


2 


B 


16 


5 


14 


3 


C 


16 


7 


G 


132 


9 


6 


4 


I) 


17, 18 


7 


G 


139 


11 


1 


2 


B 


18 


.5 


E 


112 


14 


12 


3 


C 


1,10,11,17,20 


7 


G 


133 


1 14 


12, 13, 14 


4 


D 



204 



INDEX. 



Cha. 




V 


1.5 


2 




17 


4 




21 


4 




28 


4 




22 


13 




24 


20 




25 


4 




31 


5 




37 


7, 


: J 6 


39 


2, 


6 


40 


6 




40 


14 




40 


23, 


24 


40 


24 




4J 


](> 




43 


17 




44 


25 




44 


25 




47 


10, 


11 


49 


24, 


"25 


51 


8 




56 


2 




55 


12 




59 


4 




62 


4 




62 


4 




63 


1 




63 


5 




64 


6 




65 


10 




2 


Jl 


< 


4 


7 




5 


13, 


14 


9 


5 




9 


11, 


15 


9 


19 




9 


23 




9 


23 




J2 


13 




IS 


7, 


Id 


n 


18 




is 


7 





Pr. 


Le. 


Page 


6F 


lli» 


3C 


56 


3C 


47 


3 


c 


50 


6 


F 


124 


3 


C 


57 


8 


H 


149 


6 


F 


117 


3 


C 


47 


5 


E 


88 


7 


G 


142 


6 


F 


119 


7 


G 


141 


6 


F 


120 


6 


F 


120 


3 


C 


50 


1 


A 


9 


3 


c 


50 


6 


F 


120 


2 


B 


23 


3 


C 


50 


7 


F 


116 


2 


B 


35 


7 


G 


142 


6 


F 


117 


9 


[ 


173 


3 


C 


49 


4 


D 


69 


1 


A 


4 


8 


II 


1163 



Jeremiah, 



3 


c 


37 


2 


6 


F 


119 


2 


6 


F 


120 


5 


7 


G 


141 


4 


6 


V 


U9 


4 


7 


G 


142 


6 


3 


c 


43 


8 


5 


E 


88 


9 


6 


E 


104 


10 


5 


E 


94 


9 


A 


1) 


77 


7 


S 


c 


60 





Cha. 

15 
17 

20 
20 

25 
48 
48 
49 
50 
51 



18 


3 


C 


11 


3 


c 


3 


5 


E 


4 


J 


A 


\i 


2 


B 


37 


3 


C 


38 


3 


c 


}6 


3 


c 


23 


3 


c 


13, 34, 53, ' 3 


c 


Lamentations. 


33 


2B 


1 


1 


A 


16 


1 


A 


UzeJciel. 


19 


5E 


4, 15, 16,21 


3,C 


2 


4D 


27 


3C 



. Le. Page 



Daniel. 



34, 38 
33 
3 



9,24 
3 



3 


C 


3 


C 


2 


B 


3 


c 


4 


D 


3 


c 


3 


c 



Hosea. 



6 


8 


II 


151 


8, 9 


5 


E 


92 


21 


3 


C 


57 


10 


6 


F 


1J4 


19 


10 


K 


184 


11 


10 


K 


184 


14 


3 


C 


57 


1) 


a 


c 


50 


13 


7 


G 


130 


3, 11 


10 


K 


181 


2 


1) 


K 


181 



INDEX. 



205 







Joel. 








Cha. 


Verse. 


Pr. 


Le. 


Cha.l 


Verse. 


Pr.lLe.lPage 


4 


9 


4 


D 


3|13 




I01KI184 


5 


12 


5 


E 








5 


29 


4 


D 




Amos. 




6 


19, 20 


2 


B 


6, 1, 


4,6 


2B 


40 


6 


19, 20 


2 


B 


« 1, 


14 


6 F 


118 


6 


24 


2 


B 


S\ 8, 


9, 10 




F 


118 


6 


24 


5 


E 








V 


26 


1 


A 




Jonah. 




9 


20,22 


10 


K 


417 


| 


61FII6O 


10 


16, 58 


2 


B 


4| 9 




2|B| 28 


11 


12 


2 


B 








11 


12 


2 


B 




Micah. 




12 


5 


4 


D 


7|17 




8|H|I11 


12 


42 


6 


a 








13 


26 


8 


H 




HabaJcJcuk. 




16 


24 


2 


B 


1 I) 




] 


K 


128 


16 


26 


2 


B 


2 


5, 


9, 10, JO 


10 


K 


128 


11 


21 


3 


C 


2 


6 




2 


B 


18 


11 


23 


3 


c 


2 


13 




9 


C 


36 


16 


29 


3 


c 


2 16 




3 


c 


33 


18 


19,20 


3 


c 








19 


16 


2 


B 




Zephaniah. 




19 


23 


2 


B 


1|18 




3|C| 47 


19 


24 


5 


E 








20 


22 


8 


H 




Haggai. 




21 


13 


1 


A 


1| 6 




* 


E 


102 


21 


33 


2 


B 


J 6 




5 


F 


116 


25 


32 


2 


B 


J| 9 




4 


D 


78 


26 


69 


10 


K 




Zechariah. 




27 


5 


2 


E 


3 

4 
9 


1 
7 
3 




6 

6 

2 


F 

F 
B 


125 
125 

24 


10 


Mark. 
41 


4 


D 


14 


12 




6 


F 


no 


13 


18 


4 


D 








15 


22 


1 4 


D 




Malachi. 








2 


3 




4D 


84 


Luke. 




« 


15 




J 


A 


9 


1 


19 


4 


D 


4 


2 




4 


D 


68 


1 


20 


10 


K 








1 


53 


5 


E 




Matthew. 




2 


12 


3 


C 


3| I, 


4 I 


2|B| 33 


2 


19 


5 


E 


4| 


3 




31 


C 


60 J 


3 


5 


6 


F 



206 



INDEX. 



10 
10 

11 

12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
13 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
18 
18 
19 
19 
24 

1 
5 
8 
12 
L4 
16 
16 
16 
16 
19 



Verse. 

7 
17 
24 
24 
114 
33,35 
28,30 
37 
18 

30,33 
22 

17, 18, 19, 21 
20 

31,33 
33 
33 
16 

8 

3 

3 

21 

21,22 
14 
14 

4 

40 

5 

John. 
47 
24 
44 

13, 20, 21, 27 
20 
33 
33 
34 
35 
30 



12|23 
17*28, 29 



Acts. 



Page 

67 
69 

112 
14 

122 

172 
70 
26 
66 

167 
69 
95 
90 
93 

128 
36 
29 
16 

185 
4 

112 

163 
96 
51 
43 
26 

143 
14 

108 

167 

5 

37 

15 

28 

153 
22 

161 
69 



310 1 43 
911 1166 



Pr. 


Le 


4 


D' 


4 


D 


5 


E 


5 


E 


6 


F 


9 


I 


4 


D 


2 


B 


4 


D 


9 


I 


4 


D 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


7 


e 


2 


B 


2 


B 


2 


B 


10 


K 


1 


A 


5 


E 


8 


H 


5 


E 


3 





3 


c 


2 


B 


7 


a 


2 


B 



5 


E 


9 


T 


] 


A 


3 





2 


B 


2 


B 


8 


11 


2 


B 


8 


H 


4 


I) 



Cha. 

2 
5 

6 



Romans. 

Verse. 



Pr. 


Le. 


2 


B 


1 


A 


2 


B 


2 


B 


2 


A 


6 


F 


4 


D 


8 


H 


1 


A 


2 


B 


5 


E 


10 


K 


2 


B 


2 


B 



1 Corinthians. 





5 


E 


28 


2 


B 




2 


B 




2 


B 




3 


C 


23 


2 


I 


23 


5 


E 




5 


E 


7 


4 


D 




4 


D 


10,11,12,13 




H 


11 


8 


H 




7 


G 




2 


B 




10 


K 




6 


F 




2 


B 




6 


F 




4 


D 




8 


II 



Page 

28 

6 

28 

29 

7 

124 

85 

145 

6 

24 
112 
198 

42 
28 



109 

39 

16 

39 

46 

173 

91 

92 

72 

73 

162 

161 

128 

36 

193 

115 

32 

124 

72 

162 



2 Corinthians. 
32 2.BI 28 

7,8,9 8H162 

17, H164 



ISDEX. 



207 



(J ha. 




Verse. 


6 


7 




11 


14 




12 


2, 


7 


12 


7 




12 


7 






Galatians. 


1 


4 




4 


7 




6 


7 




614 






Ephesians. 


1 


3 




2 


7 




2 


6 




2 


8 




6)17 






Philipians. 


2 


6 




3 


8, 


9 


4 


4 




4 


11 




419 






Colossians. 


1 


27 




2 


3 




2 


10 




2 


15 




3 


3 




3 3 




2 


Thessalonim 


2i 9 




2|12 






1 Timothy. 


21 6 




210 




3|10, 


11 


5 


1 6 





Pr. 

8 


Le. 

H 


4 


D 


1 


A 


4 


D 


3lC 



Page 

162 

68 

7 
83 
49 



197 
124 
141 

198 



91 

112 

172 

90 

91 



172 
127 
122 
174 
91 



112 
1]2 
127 

148 

42 
109 



IHI147 
6 F 1121 



liA 
2B 
2B 
6F 



13 

27 

27 

122' 



Cha. 

6 

6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 



6 

6 

7 

8 

9 

9 
10 
17 

17, 18, 19 
17 



Pr. 


Le 


4 


D 


5 


E 


6 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 


5 


E 



26 

2,3 

3 
10 



2 Timothy. 



14 
22 
11 

24,25 
26 
16 
16 
6,14 



James. 



10,11 

27 
2 
3,4,7 



1 Peter. 



18 

S 

19 

8 
10 



31 7, 
3110 



2 Peter. 



2 


B 


8 


H 


6 


F 


2 


B 



Hebrews. 



4 


D 


1 


A 


6 


F 


6 


F 


2 


B 


6 


F 


6 


F 


2 


B 



5 


E 


10 


K 


5 


E 


5 


E 



2 

6 


B 
F 


6 


F 


4 


D 


6 


F 



10 



2|Bi 
2B 



12 
31 



208 



INDEX. 







1 JoJltt, 








Cha. 


Verse. 


Pr- 


Le. 


Page 


Cha. 


Verse. 


Pr.lLe. 


Pa^e 


3 


10, 11 


2 


B 


27 


2 


15 




2EK 


14 


3 


17 


5 


E 


109 


2 


15 




2 1! 


16 


3 


16 


5 


E 


110 


3 


9 




2B 


28 


3 


17 


9 


I 


170 


5 


4 




2|B 


22 


3 


21 


6 


F 


127 








6 


2 


2 


B 


27 




Jude. 




6 


8 


4 


D 


67 


11 6 




6IPI161 


12 


7 


4 


D 


66 


111 1 , 


12, 13 


4IDI 77 


12 


12 


4 


V 


67 








U 


13 


4 


D 


68 




Revelations 




18 


7,8 


3 


C 


44 


2110 




2 


8 


25 


20 


2,3 


4 


D 


70 


2110 




2 


B 


27 


20 


14 


8 


H 


165 


3 


1 8, 


IT 


5 


E 


109 


21 


27 


8 


H 


148 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: March 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN COI I.FCTinNS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16086 
(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





014 386 452 2 #l 



■m 



- 



